27 Jun 2012

Tall Ferns worn down by Argentinian defence

11:59 am on 27 June 2012

The New Zealand women's basketball coach says the Argentinian defence wore down the Tall Ferns in their narrow loss this morning, which has ended any hopes of them making the London Olympics.

The result - on the back of Monday's loss to Czech Republic - means the Ferns will not qualify out of their pool to contest the last five remaining spots in the London draw.

The Tall Ferns trailed for most of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament match in Turkey but midway through the final quarter closed within two points before missing crucial opportunities, eventually losing 54-51.

The side shot at a modest 31 percent, but the Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama says what hurt them most was their low conversion rate on three-point attempts.

Kereama says Argentina contested everything and rarely gave the Tall Ferns any easy scoring opportunities.