KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand men's basketball team got precisely what they needed when beating Iran 91-80 at the Alpos Cup tournament in Slovenia today.
It marked the Tall Blacks' last outing ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament next week in Greece.
Shooting guard Kirk Penney again topscored with 24 points, while four other Tall Blacks scored in double figures.
Leading by 10 points ahead of the final quarter, successive three-pointers from Paora Winitana and Penney gave New Zealand a 16-point lead in the middle stages, before a three from centre Craig Bradshaw effectively sealed the game at 84-70.
Iran cut the lead to seven with a 7-0 run before a lay-up from point guard Lindsay Tait and free throws from Mika Vukona and Tait in the final two minutes confirmed the win.
New Zealand did not break away from the Iranians until the final three minutes of the third quarter.
After modest shooting returns in losses to Puerto Rico and Slovenia, Penney lit up, shooting eight-of-14, as New Zealand shot at much improved 51 percent from the field and 46 percent on the perimeter.
Centre Nick Horvath produced his best game in a New Zealand singlet by contributing 14 points, including two three-pointers, and five rebounds.
Winitana produced 11 points, Bradshaw 10 points and seven rebounds and Vukona 10 points and six boards.
For Iran, who have already qualified for the Olympics after winning the Asian championship, guard Samed Bahrami topscored with 24 points, while Mahdi Kamrany had 21.
The Tall Blacks now travel to Athens for their opening Olympic qualifying tournament match against Cape Verde on Monday night (NZT).
New Zealand 91 (Kirk Penney 24, Nick Horvath 14, Paora Winitana 11, Craig Bradshaw 10, Mika Vukona 10) Iran 80 (Samed Bahrami 24, Mahdi Kamrany 21, Hamed Ehadadi 14). Halftime: 45-39.
- NZPA
