Basketball: Italy down Tall Blacks in thriller

10.15pm

ATHENS - The New Zealand men's basketball began their 2004 Olympics campaign losing a last minute thriller 69-71 to Italy at the Helliniko Indoor Arena tonight.

The Tall Blacks were in with a chance right up to the final whistle, but Italy sealed the win at the death.

After a promising start, a poor first half shooting display by the Tall Blacks helped contribute to Italy's 17-point advantage at halftime, leading 39-22.

But New Zealand typically fought to the death, pushing Italy all the way during the second half. The Tall Blacks won the third quarter 24-17.

Three slam dunks from Sean Marks and a long range three-pointer from Phill Jones helped ease the deficit late in the period.

With less than four minutes to play New Zealand had crawled back from 19 points adrift to within six and then four, then within two with less than a minute but the Italians held on for victory.

Kirk Penney topscored for New Zealand with 20 points which included five from nine three-pointers.

Phill Jones made 15 but had an off-night from beyond the three-point arc scoring just one of his five attempts. Sean Marks, 13 points and nine rebounds and Mark Dickel with 10 also made it to double figures.

Gianluca Basile was Italy's best scorer with 16 and captain Giacomo Galanda finished with 14 points.

New Zealand will look to pick themselves up from the demoralising defeat to take on China on Tuesday night.

Score: Italy 71 (G Basile 16, G Galanda 15, D Marconato 12) New Zealand 69 (K Penney 20, P Jones 15, S Marks 13, M Dickel 10).

Halftime: 39-22

- NZPA