Basketball: Another loss for Tall Blacks

The New Zealand men's basketball team slumped to their fifth loss in six matches in Europe when losing 76-98 to Belgium in Oostende today.

The Tall Blacks fell away in the second half despite shooting 57 per cent from the field.

New Zealand were well in the contest at the main break, at which stage they trailed by just three points, but faded despite 28 points from shooting guard and captain Kirk Penney.

Belgium made 10 three-pointers and were led by 20 points from guard Dimitri Lauwers as they consigned New Zealand to a third successive loss on tour.

The Belgians, gearing up for the additional qualifying round of the European championship next month, saw their bench outscore the Tall Blacks 42-19 and conceded just 10 turnovers compared to New Zealand's 24.

Penney shot eight-of-15 from the field, including four-of-nine three-pointers, and went eight-of-nine from the foul line for his game-high 28.

Rookie Tom Abercrombie exploded with seven points in the first quarter but contributed just four more points.

Centre Alex Pledger finished with eight points and seven rebounds, helping the Tall Blacks to a 33-26 rebounding advantage.

The Tall Blacks meet Belgium again tomorrow morning (NZT) in Antwerp, before ending their tour against Finland on Monday.

Belgium 98 (Dimitri Lauwers 20, Roel Moors 18, Maxime DeZeeuw 15) New Zealand 76 (Kirk Penney 28, Tom Abercrombie 11). Halftime: 47-44.

- NZPA