The New Zealand women's basketball team's chances of qualifying for the London Olympics are over after the Tall Ferns suffered a heart-breaking 54-51 defeat to Argentina at the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Ankara, Turkey, today.
The result - on the back of yesterday's loss to Czech Republic - means the Kiwis will not qualify out of their pool to contest the last five remaining spots in the London draw.
The Kiwis began the game stronger against their higher-ranked opponents, controlling the opening tip and immediately scoring through forward Lisa Wallbutton inside the paint. They threatened to break away and any time Argentina snatched the initiative - usually through veteran forward Carolina Sanchez - skipper Natalie Taylor would step up to hit a three-pointer to restore the advantage.
After not finding their range from the arc at all against Czechs, the Ferns connected four times in the first half - three to Taylor and one to older sister Charmian Purcell - but late in the second quarter momentum switched as New Zealand began turning the ball over and conceding offensive rebounds. Argentina led 32-28 at halftime.
Argentina extended that lead to 10 points at three-quarter time but midway through the final quarter Taylor got the Ferns within two points.
With 34 seconds left on the clock, New Zealand had the chance to engineer a go-ahead basket but forward Jillian Harmon missed and Argentina closed out the match.
The Tall Ferns' shooting woes at the tournament continued and they shot just 31 per cent today - it was an improvement on their 25 per cent against the Czech Republic yesterday - and Argentina landed seven three-pointers.
Taylor led her troops from the front with 19 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Edmondson was another to help the cause with 10 points. Sanchez was the best of the South Americans with 16 points.
Argentina and the Czech Republic will progress to the quarter-finals. New Zealand, however, must now set their sights on next year's FIBA Oceania championship in the hope of qualifying for the 2014 world championships.
Argentina 54 (Carolina Sanchez 16, Debora Gonzalez 10) New Zealand 51 (Natalie Taylor 19, Jillian Harmon 12, Antonia Edmondson 10). HT: 32-28.
