The New Zealand women's basketball team has been comfortably beaten again by Australia to close out their two-game Olympic qualifying series.
New Zealand women's basketball player Micaela Cocks takes on Australia. Photo: John Cowpland
Building on their 20-point first-leg victory in Melbourne, Australia put on a dominant second-half display in Tauranga on Monday night to claim an 80-63 victory.
It was the Tall Ferns who dictated the pace early, however, and forced the Opals into tough long-range shots.
But the momentum swung Australia's way in the second half, as they showed why they are ranked No.2 in the world.
Micaela Cocks top-scored for New Zealand with 21 points.
The Tall Ferns will get a second chance at qualifying for Rio in a repechage tournament involving 12 teams in June next year, with the top five earning a spot.
