The lead changed several times during the second half, with New Zealand up 51-49 at the final break, but Puerto Rico edged the match in the final minute to qualify for the Olympics for just the second time, following their Tokyo debut three years ago.
Captain Stella Beck impressed for the Tall Ferns with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists, including a third-quarter span that saw her score six straight points and take her second charge of the game.
But New Zealand couldn’t stop Puerto Rico’s hot shooting from downtown, with their opponents hitting 11 triples at a 33 per cent clip and several big shots at key moments.
Esra McGoldrick added an 11 point-10 rebound double-double, while Ritorya Tamilo contributed a solid 10 points and six rebounds, and Tera Reed and Lauren Whittaker chipped in with seven points and five rebounds each. McKenna Dale made her Tall Ferns debut, scoring nine points in the first quarter before being forced off due to injury.
New Zealand slightly out-shot Puerto Rico from the field (35.7 per cent v 33 per cent) and enjoyed a 34-20 points advantage in the paint but again struggled from long range, shooting just 4-28 from outside the arc.
“We’re very disappointed to lose but congratulations to Puerto Rico,” said Tall Ferns coach Guy Molloy. “It was a very close game that went right down to the end.”
“I’m gutted for us and the girls but it was a hard fight and they [Puerto Rico] deserved it,” said Beck.
The Tall Blacks are still a chance of qualifying for Paris but must win a six-team tournament in Piraeus in early July.
The tournament also includes hosts Greece, Slovenia and the Dominican Republic — all ranked higher than world No 21 New Zealand — plus Croatia and Egypt.
