KEY POINTS:
Point guard Angela Marino was back and on target for the Tall Ferns, but could not spark them to victory at the William Jones Cup basketball tournament in Taiwan, losing 69-82 to Taiwan Blue.
Marino has an ankle injury and was not expected to play at all during the tournament but returned to action in the win over Japan Universities on Saturday.
With captain Noni Wharemate missing Sunday's game for religious reasons, Marino logged up 34 minutes to lead all scorers with 22 points.
New Zealand were ahead after a quarter and trailed by six heading into the final period before losing further ground down the stretch.
While dominating the boards, they committed twice as many turnovers as their opponents and landed just 36 per cent of their field goal attempts.
New Zealand next face Athletes In Action from the United States.
Result:
Taiwan Blue 82 New Zealand 69 (Angela Marino 22, Lisa Wallbutton 15). Halftime 39-37.
- NZPA