KEY POINTS:
New Zealand were beaten 72-51 by the Czech Republic in the first of two women's basketball matches in Zlin this morning.
New Zealand were always on the back foot against the world No 9 team, but hung on grimly to trail by just five points midway through the second quarter.
But at halftime the difference had blown out to 15, as the hosts unleashed an 18-8 run that carried them clear for good.
"I'm not saying we could have beaten them," New Zealand coach Mike McHugh said. "But if we had kept the pressure on, who knows?
" It wasn't a lack of effort... but sometimes our basketball intelligence is not good and that is just inexperience."
New Zealand produced a better second half, losing it 25-31.
No New Zealander scored in double figures with guard Micaela Cocks leading the offence on nine points.
The second match, the last game of a European which has so far seen two wins and three defeats, was to be played tonight.
- NZPA
