Basketball: Tall Blacks lose final Games warm-up

7.30am

ATHENS, - New Zealand completed their buildup for the Olympic men's basketball tournament with a 72-89 loss to Greece here today.

The Tall Blacks were punished heavily by the local officials but were not at their best in a physical encounter.

Guard Phill Jones kept New Zealand in the first half, landing 11 points early in the opening quarter after his team trailed 3-10.

Persistent foul calls, turnovers and missed shots plagued the Tall Blacks, who were down 17-24 at quarter time.

Greece extended their lead after winning the second quarter 27-23 for an 11 point lead at halftime.

Centre Sean Marks exited near the end of the half after taking a blow to his lower abdomen, but returned to start the second half and finish the game with 13 points.

Shooting guard Kirk Penney finally made his presence felt in the third quarter, scoring 11 points including three three-pointers.

But despite New Zealand's hard work, Greece led 72-60 at three-quarter time.

New Zealand's deficit ballooned to as many as 19 points in the final quarter in a game they will want to forget quickly before their Olympic opener against Italy on Monday morning (NZT).

Scores:

Greece 89 New Zealand 72 (Phill Jones 18, Sean Marks 13, Kirk Penney 12)

Halftime: 51-40

- NZPA