Basketball: Tough going on US tour

By PETER JESSUP

The New Zealand development team have struck a steep learning curve on their tour of the United States, copping consecutive beatings at the hands of NCAA sides.

A day after their arrival, they lost 103-60 to the University of West Virginia. The big margin was put down to fatigue after they had passed through three airports and the strenuous checks now in place.

Damon Rampton, the oldest in the squad at 22, was the pick of the New Zealanders, with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

He backed up to top score with 23 in their next game, a 97-81 loss to Virginia Commonwealth University.

The side yesterday lost 80-73 to Bridgewater College.

Tall Black coach Tab Baldwin has been with the team from the start of the tour, although assistant Nenad Vucinic has been preparing the side.

Baldwin had originally planned to join them at a later stage after a European trip, but that was postponed.

He was pleased with the progress made by the New Zealand side to close the margins in the second and third games, after the side looked shellshocked in their first-up effort.

Daryl Cartwright, Troy McLean, Lindsay Tait and Lance Baker have figured well in game statistics.

Today's game is against the tough Georgetown University squad, to be followed by clashes with Maryland Eastern Shore, Duquesne and Robert Morris College.