TAURANGA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - If Korea fretted about their prospects this summer after crashing to a heavy defeat to the Tall Blacks in Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday night, it wasn't evident 48 hours later.

On Thursday night in Tauranga, Korea stunned the Kiwis, 76-75, to set up a deciding third clash in the three-game series on Saturday in Auckland.

Naturalized guard Moon Tae-Jong drilled five of his nine three-pointers and finished with 21 points for Korea, who like New Zealand are warming up for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

New Zealand, who will take on the USA, Turkey, Finland, the Dominican Republic and Ukraine in Group C, in Bilbao, at the World Cup, thought they had knotted the second contest against Korea at the end but a Kirk Penney made field goal was ruled a two-pointer and not a three-ball.

Penney again had a solid night offensively for the Tall Blacks with 19 points and point guard Corey Webster poured in a team-high 20.

Korea, who were much better defensively than Tuesday, are going to play in Gran Canaria in Group D at the World Cup against Lithuania, Slovenia, Australia, Angola and Mexico.

A series victory in New Zealand would do wonders for their confidence.

Korea will also, after the World Cup, host the Asian Games in Incheon.

FIBA