Basketball: NZ finish 8th after narrow loss to Greece

8.20 - By JENNI RUTHERFORD

The New Zealand women's basketball team have been defeated by a determined Greece 83-87 and finished the Olympic tournament in eighth place.

The Tall Ferns were undone by a second half fight back by Greece, who had lacked intensity and drive in the first 20 minutes.

The Tall Ferns battled hard after an emotionally and physically draining tournament to finish three places better than at Sydney in 2000 where they made their Olympics debut.

Easy three-point baskets by sharp-shooter Angela Marino gave New Zealand as much as a nine point lead early but Greece found their way back into the game to trail by just three points - 21-24 at the end of the first quarter.

A physical game throughout the first half saw both New Zealanders and Greeks hit the deck. Gina Farmer, Donna Loffhagen, Aneka Kerr and Marino all tasted the hardwood as things threatened to get messy.

Despite a breakdown in cohesion, New Zealand managed a 26-22 second quarter to lead 50-43 at halftime.

New Zealand's scoring streak ran cold in the third period as Greece gained as much as a seven point buffer. It took the Tall Ferns nearly four minutes to sink their first basket after Greece had gone on an 11-0 scoring run.

Greece moved out to 61-55 after Loffhagen was brought to the ground after being elbowed in the mouth.

The officials failed to stop the game as Greece regained possession from a missed attempt and Maria Samoroukova stepped around the still prone Tall Fern to score.

Loffhagen recovered and continued helping the Tall Ferns chip away at their deficit. Tania Tupu tied the game at 66-66 heading into the final quarter.

There was plenty of drama still to come as New Zealand fought to end their groundbreaking Olympics campaign with their third win of the tournament.

Marino's foul shots briefly gave the Tall Ferns back the lead. However the Greeks tied the scores at 77-77 and New Zealand at 80-80 before Loffhagen picked up her fifth foul to leave the court with a little over a minute remaining.

Greece had a 83-80 lead with 30 seconds left and despite the New Zealanders' best efforts with another plucky three-pointer from Marino with six seconds to go, Greece gained the final say and victory.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Tall Ferns after coming so far.

"We didn't have a really good third quarter start and I think that made a big difference," said Tupu.

"We had moments at the end of the game but it really was lost in the third quarter."

Tupu said the team had really wanted finish seventh "but we didn't play for the full 40 minutes."

Loffhagen capped off a terrific tournament with the Tall Ferns' top score of 23 points and 15 rebounds. Gina Farmer had 21 and Marino 18. Evanthia Maltsi had the game high with 29 points for Greece.

Greece 87 (E Maltsi 29, P Saregkou 16, M Samoroukova 15).

New Zealand 84 (D Loffhagen 23, G Farmer 21, A Marino 18, A Kerr 10).

Halftime: 43-50

- NZPA