Hosts Tauranga City Coasters came agonisingly close to their first win during the second day of the three-day Women's Basketball Championships at ASB stadium on Saturday.

Three-day NZ women's baskeball championships is underway at ASB stadium

In spite of 16 points from Courteney Wilson the coasters were edged 59-55 by Taranaki Thunder, Basketball NZ's Mike Lacey reports. The scores were tied 55 apiece with 39 seconds remaining but composure at the free throw line from Jess Tuki (10pts), Jenna Kensington and Rosa Antunovic saw the Thunder home.

Later in the day Tauranga found life a lot more difficult against one of the favourites Waikato Wizards. The Coasters lost 87-41 against the local rivals.

The highlight of the second day at the Women's Basketball Championship in Tauranga featured the match up between Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats and 2015 finalists Auckland Counties Manukau Lady Hawks.

Both teams entered the contest with unbeaten (3-0) records and despite failing to score in the opening six minutes Canterbury eventually proved too strong for the Lady Hawks winning 61-48.

The first quarter was tied 10 points apiece and when Tall Fern Jordan Hunter (16pts) picked up a third foul in the second period, and returned to the bench, her absence seriously affected the offensive flow of the Hawks as they fell behind 29-21 at the half.

The Canterbury lead stretched to 19 points at threequarter time and although Hunter provided some late scoring punch for the Hawks, who reduced the deficit to 10 points in the closing minutes, it was too little too late.

Canterbury, with aggresssive defence, and guards Shea Crotty and Anita Snowdon (9pts) controlling the tempo dominated the second and third periods as the Wildcats recorded a solid victory and established themselves as the team to beat in this year's competition. American forward Ashley Gayle scored 13 points and added 11 rebounds and looks a fine addition to the Canterbury line up.

Earlier in the day Canterbury had beaten the Phil Jones coached Nelson Flyers 63-40. Fran Edmondson (14pts) led the Wildcats, who demonstrated their depth, with all eleven players making scoring contributions.

Waitakere Lady Rangers had a good day defeating Capital Flyers 79-63 in the morning with Deena Franklin and Courtenay Le'au'anae both posting 13 points. Later the Rangers pulled away from a spirited Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix team to win 77-43. Franklin again led the Rangers effort with a double double (17p/10r). Sian Telfar notched 11 points for the northlanders.

Defending champions Oceana Gold Rush Otago, without Tall Ferns Samara Gallaher and Jillian Harmon this season were still too good for Taranaki Thunder winning 69-45. Taranaki's Vanessa McCarthy led all scorers with 15 points with Danielle Calnan (14pts) and Nicole Ruske (13pts) leading the Otago reply.

In the final game of the day young forward Aimee Book (16pts) led the Nelson Sparks effort as they defeated the Capital Flyers 59-49. Kayla Kiriau was outstanding for the Flyers with a double double of 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Standings at end of Day 2

4-0 Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats

4-1 Waikato Wizards

3-1 Oceana Gold Rush Otago, Waitakere Lady Rangers, ACM Lady Hawks

2-2 Taranaki Thunder, Nelson Sparks

1-3 Tauranga City Coasters

0-3 Te Tai Tokerau Phoenix

0-4 Capital Flyers

0-5 Junior Tall Ferns (all JTF games are recorded as 20-0 victories to opposition)

New Zealand Women's Basketball Championship:

- Tournament 1, 4 - 6 March

ASB Arena, Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui.

- Tournament 2, 1 - 3 April

Saxton Stadium, 142 Saxton Rd East, Nelson.

- Tournament 3, 12 - 14 May

Porirua Basketball Association, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua