JPN/NZL - Japanese fight back to beat Kiwi women

VALENCIA (Olympics) - New Zealand coach Mike McHugh is wearing a brave face despite the Tall Ferns´ 71-67 defeat to Japan - their second in a row at the Torneo de Paterna.

The Japanese, warming up for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women which tips off in a week, trailed by as many as nine points in the second quarter but fought back to lead at half-time and held on the second half for a confidence-boosting win.

“We are so close to getting over that hump,” Tall Ferns coach Mike McHugh said. “This was not a disaster.

“We did a lot of very good things and, at times, played exceptionally well, but we have to get consistency.

“We’re lacking that experience in the last quarter and that’s hurting us at the moment. The only way we can fix it is to keep playing games like this and hopefully turn the corner.”

FIBA