Basketball: Tall Blacks go down to US

3.05pm

New Zealand faded in the second half to lose 62-110 to the United States in their world basketball championship second-round match in Indianapolis today.

The Tall Blacks led 25-22 after the first quarter and trailed just 42-48 to the Olympic champions at halftime.

However, their shooting percentages dropped away in the second spell as the US team, studded with big-name National Basketball Association players, raced to a 75-52 lead. They won the final quarter 35-10, taking the chance to showcase their skill and athleticism.

New Zealand's final second-phase match is against China tomorrow morning (NZ time), which they must win if they are to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.

- NZPA

Schedule | Scoreboard | Standings