Basketball: Tall Blacks fall to Lithuania

Kirk Penney. Photo / Getty Images

The Tall Blacks have led another European basketball powerhouse for the majority of a match before losing in the final quarter as again turnovers cost the New Zealanders in a 79-85 loss to Lithuania.

Kirk Penney led the way for New Zealand with 26 points and seven rebounds while Corey Webster chipped in with 12 points. BJ Anthony also reached doubled figures.

While disappointed with the loss, assistant coach Paul Henare found plenty of positives as the team continues to build towards the World Cup in Spain.

"We had a good start, a positive start, we led most of the way right up until the last quarter, a few thing went against us, they got going and we made a few errors and we couldn't quite get across the line.

"There are some real positives to take out of the game, our rebounding was great, we beat a much much bigger team on the boards (41-27), but unfortunately turnovers got us with 23 on the night, there were too many errors at important times."

Henare says the turnover count is now a priority with the coaching staff as they fine tune towards Spain.

"Most definitely, we are trying to replicate the pace we should be playing at in Spain and focus on taking care of the ball. It didn't sink in from yesterday to today, we need to value the basketball more against much more physically able bodies, the intensity and pressure has risen.

"Losing by just six is ridiculous with our turnovers, if we cut them by a third it is an easy victory for us, that is how close we are to getting across the line, we keep plugging away and make improvements. Our energy levels and defensive intensity were better, we need to sort the turnovers though."

The Tall Blacks next face Greece tomorrow.

Tall Blacks 79
K Penney 26 pts, 7 rebounds; T Webster 12 pts, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; BJ Anthony 10 pts, Casey Frank 8 pts, rebounds
Lithuania 85
Valanciunas 19 pts, Jankunas 16 pts