The New Zealand men's basketballers have beaten Portugal 98-91 in their opening game of the Trentino Cup in Italy.
Kirk Penney again top-scored for the Tall Blacks with 35 points while Tom Abercrombie had 13, and Alex Pledger and Michael Fitchett had 10 each.
The tourists led by four points at the major interval after winning the first quarter 25-21. Another four-point margin saw them lead 75-67 going into the final stretch and although they lost the final quarter by one point they'd done enough this time to see the result go their way.
Point guard Fitchett says they regard Portugal as a step up from their previous opposition Estonia, who they lost twice to, and they're looking forward to playing Italy tomorrow.
