Kirk Penney's return could not prevent the New Zealand men's basketball team slumping to a third successive loss in the leadup to their Olympic qualification campaign after Canada cruised to a 90-63 victory in Ontario today.
Penney, who missed the 0-2 series loss to Australia last week, notcheda game high 26 points but had little scoring support as the Canadians comfortably claimed the opening match of the Jack Donohue series in Hamilton.
The Tall Blacks leading shooting guard, who was unavailable for the transtasman series because he was trialling with NBA franchise the San Antonio Spurs, was strong throughout. But an inadequate shooting percentage from the floor - New Zealand recorded just 39 per cent from the field - ensured they were always in catch-up mode.
Forward Craig Bradshaw added 11, the only other Tall Black to make double figures, while veteran Pero Cameron contributed eight.
The Tall Blacks trailed 28-36 at halftime as Canada , who shot 51 per cent from the floor, asserted their dominance thorough Miami Heat centre Joel Anthony and veteran guard Rowan Barrett.
The pair helped Canada reel off 13 consecutive points to take a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Canadian captain Dave Thomas hit a three pointer to start the second quarter scoring and although the Tall Blacks, through a brace of Penney threes, closed the deficit to three inside the final two minutes before halftime, Canada finished with five unanswered points sparked by a Lindsay Tait turnover.
The Tall Blacks were outscored 25-14 in the penultimate period to place the contest out of reach and the margin blew out by another eight on the home stretch.
New Zealand next play the tri-series' other team, Lebanon, on Friday (NZT).
The series is part of their build-up to the 12-nation Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece starting July 14. They must finish in the top three to compete at Beijing next month.
