Tall Ferns team huddle during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup. Photo: photosport
The Tall Ferns have missed out on first ever medal at the Asia Cup women's basketball tournament, going down 81-59 to hosts Australia in the play-off for bronze.
World number two China pipped five-time defending champions Japan 73-71 in a thrilling final, fighting back from a 35-26 deficit at halftime.
The New Zealanders were led by 19 points and 11 rebounds from Penina Davidson but it wasn't enough to avoid a second defeat for the weekend in Sydney, having lost their semi-final 88-52 to Japan last night.
The Tall Ferns' outside shooting was a problem, landing just 22 of 56 shots from the floor for the game, including a sub-par three from 20 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.
New Zealand's cause wasn't helped by 19 turnovers, which followed the concession of 24 turnovers against Japan.
The error rate increased as the game went on, with New Zealand trailing by just 11 points at halftime.
New Zealand were forced to play without a full squad for most of the game.
Tayla Dalton was rested as a precaution following a head knock, while fellow-guard Tahlia Tupaea aggravated a shoulder injury early in the opening quarter.
Making the semifinals guaranteed both sides a place in the Olympic qualifier in February, where the Tall Ferns will look to qualify for the Games for the first time since 2008.
Tall Ferns coach Guy Molloy said that the Tall Ferns can look back with pride on their showing at the tournament, which began with an upset of highly-rated Korea in group play.
"I'm just really pleased for our programme and for the nation for the fact that we've even made it to this point - more than anything else it's a celebration and something we've worked very hard to get," Molloy said.
"No matter the results we've had playing in these semi-finals, playing the top four teams in [Asia] has been a great experience and I'm very proud of the team and very happy to be here."
- RNZ
