Basketball: Tall Blacks downed by Puerto Rico

The New Zealand men's basketball team lost their opening match at the Alpos Cup tournament in Slovenia today.

The Tall Blacks went down 74-82 to Puerto Rico despite a game-high 24 points from shooting guard Kirk Penney.

The other countries competing in the tournament are Slovenia and Iran.

The tournament marks the New Zealanders' last assignment ahead of the Olympic Games qualifying tournament in Greece next week.

Puerto Rico 82 (Juan Barea 13, Joel Jones 12, Larry Ayuso 12, David Santiago 11) New Zealand 74 (Kirk Penney 24, Craig Bradshaw 13, Lindsay Tait 12). Halftime: 56-55.