Basketball: Tall Ferns still winless

9.00pm

LONDON - The New Zealand women's basketball team improved but are still without a win after losing 68-58 to Germany in the second game of their pre-Olympic European tour in Krosno, Poland.

The Tall Ferns, after leading 33-29 at halftime, could not close out the Germans to gain their first victory at the four-nation tournament.

Gina Farmer top-scored for New Zealand with 15 points, while Angela Marino backed up her top contribution against Ukraine on Thursday, with another 13-point haul.

New Zealand captain Leanne Walker said the side were progressing well in their preparation for the Athens Olympics.

"Absolutely it's an improvement [from their 71-66 loss to Ukraine]," she said. "It's very much a learning process. We tried a new offensive we've never done before in the second half. So we're still seeing what works for us.

"We didn't let the first quarter get away on us like last time. We're happy with the first half but we knew we had to try something different."

New Zealand trailed 16-14 in the first quarter but out-pointed the Germans 19-13 in the second. However the Tall Ferns dropped away in the third -- 13-22 -- and in the fourth -- 12-17.

For Germany, Andrea Harder top-scored with 15 points, and Dorathea Richter and Tini Ishaque both had 12 ponts.

New Zealand play hosts Poland tonight (NZT) before travelling to Ankara in Turkey for a six-nation tournament.

Scores: Germany 68 (A Harder 15, D Richter, T Ishaque 12) New Zealand 58 (G Farmer 15, A Marino 13). Quarter scores: 16-14, 29-33, 55-42.

- NZPA