The New Zealand women's basketball team has been beaten in the opening game of the four nations tournament in China, losing to the much taller home team 77-70.
Jillian Harmon top scored with 19 points for the Tall Ferns followed by Micaela Cocks and Lisa Wallbutton with 14 apiece.
The Chinese team, who are ranked eighth in the world, led by just a solitary goal at half-time.
The 16th-ranked Tall Ferns play Australia then Brazil followed by games against the same three teams a few days later in another city in China.
The tournament is part of a buildup towards the London Olympic qualifying series against Australia across the Tasman in September.
