Basketball: WBC Games go to form on Day 2 in Nelson

Natalie Hurst of Australia (R) defends Micaela Cocks of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

The majority of games went to form on Day 2 of the 2016 Women's Basketball Championship (WBC) at Saxton Arena on Saturday.

Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks opened up a 21-13 first quarter advantage over Tauranga City Coasters before eventually powering to an 83-51 win. Jordan Hunter dished 7 assists and added 17 points for ACM that had five players in double figures.

New Zealand U16 trialist Briarley Rogers continued her good form for the Coasters with a game high 21 points.

Waitakere Lady Rangers, on the back of strong performances from Deena Franklin (18pts/12rebs) and Chevannah Paalvast (19pts), accounted for Taranaki Thunder winning 74-55. Jess Tuki produced a customary double double, 17 points and 13 rebounds, for the Thunder.

The much improved Capital Flyers won their second game of the weekend, comfortably accounting for Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix 62-41. The Flyers had a balanced scoring effort led by Kayla Kiriau's 12 points. Point guard Freda Riwai worked tirelessly for the Phoenix contributing 10 points.

Waikato Wizards blew Nelson Flyers away in the first half forging a 43-19 advantage. The Flyers gave the local supporters something to cheer about in the second half but had dug themselves too deep a hole and eventually fell 70-42. Hard working forward Miriam Stevens had 12 points and 6 rebounds for Waikato whilst the industrious Jodi Hikuroa-Jeffrey had 13 points, 4 assists and 4 steals for the hosts.

Nelson had a short turn around having to entertain Tauranga City Coasters two hours after finishing their game against Waikato. The Phill Jones coached team opened up an early lead but a Briarley Rogers basket on the half-time hooter had Tauranga within 4 points at the break - 32-28.

Oceana Gold Rush Otago were expected to be too strong for Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix and so it proved, the South Islanders easing to a comfortable 59-34 success on the back of a dozen points from Soraya Umaga-Jensen

The Waitakere Lady Rangers against Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats encounter was decided by a 20-0 Wildacts run either side of half-time. Waitakere held a narrow 34-33 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the half but were hit by a triple from Ashlee Fane and another basket from Anita Swan to trail 38-34 at the break.

A Shea Crotty triple initiated a 15-0 Wildacts run to open the third stanza and the Cantabrians unbeaten run was assured. A Waitakere comeback never materialised despite sterling efforts from