KEY POINTS:
BEIJING - The New Zealand women's basketball team sustained their heaviest loss at the Olympic Games here today, and a third consecutive defeat, after being outclassed 90-59 by the Czech Republic.
However, the 31-point losing margin is likely to be eclipsed on Sunday when the Tall Ferns will be engaged in a damage limitation exercise against unbeaten gold medal favourites the United States.
Pint-sized guard Angela Marino led New Zealand's forlorn challenge against the east Europeans, her 22-point haul one of only two double-figure contributions.
Aneka Kerr was the next best with 12.
The Czechs, fifth in Athens four years ago, now boast the core of the European championship-winning under-19 and under-20s sides of 2001-02.
Their height advantage - guard Hana Machova was the only member of the starting five under 1.82-metres - was evident throughout.
Machova top scored for the Czechs with a game high 23 points.
New Zealand opened their pool B campaign with an edgy 76-72 defeat of bottom placed Mali last Saturday before losing 62-85 to Spain and 63-80 to hosts China.
- NZPA
