Basketball: Turks take out the Tall Blacks

Dillion Boucher says it's about learning and improving not just winning. Photo / Getty Images

The Tall Blacks were clinically dispatched 87-65 by hosts Turkey at a pre-world basketball championship tournament in Istanbul overnight.

New Zealand were quietly satisfied with a narrow 76-71 loss yesterday to European runners-up Serbia in the opening game of their preparation for the world championship, but Turkey bought them back down to earth overnight.

The Tall Blacks were immediately on the back foot, conceding four turnovers in as many minutes and although they took an early 8-7 lead when point guard Lindsay Tait connected from outside the three point line, Turkey responded with a 12-2 run that carried them clear for good.

"We had a slow start and didn't get out of the blocks well," New Zealand assistant coach Dillon Boucher said.

Turkey were a good team who got an early lead "and we can't let a team like that get away from us."

Down by nine points after the opening quarter, New Zealand slipped to 21 points adrift midway through the second before they finally found their range.

Back-to-back three pointers from Kirk Penney and Casey Frank edged them back into the contest, but the Turks closed out the half with a 9-2 flurry and a 49-30 advantage at the break.

The deficit reached 25 points before New Zealand's shooters began to hit their marks.

They also picked up more points as they made more frequent visits to the free throw line.

On the back of this improvement New Zealand outscored Turkey 22-19 in the third period, but Turkey responded with 10 quick points at the start of the final quarter to dash any hopes of a comeback.

Boucher said the team did some things well, especially in the third quarter.

"We are trying to win ... but it's also all about learning and heading toward the world champs and improving with each outing."

The home side were paced by NBA performers Ersan Ilyasova (14 points) and Hedo Turkoglu (13).

Penney and veteran marksman Phill Jones led the New Zealand scoring with 13 points each.

New Zealand play Iran on Monday, (3am NZ time). The Asian champions have suffered two heavy losses to Turkey and Serbia at the event.

Result: Turkey 87 (Ersan Ilysaova 14, Hedo Turkoglu 12, Kerem Tunceri 12) New Zealand 65 (Kirk Penney 13, Phill Jones 13)

- NZPA