Basketball New Zealand

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New Zealand have opened the Youth Olympic Games three-on-three basketball tournament with a heartbreaking 19-22 overtime loss to Greece.

In difficult conditions, the young Kiwis led 11-8 at halftime, but were forced into extra play when the Greeks drew even at 17-17 after regulation time.

Coach Anthony Corban watched in despair as a combination of questionable decision-making and dubious refereeing cost his side.

“Overtime was two minutes and it was trench warfare with two teams giving very little,” he said.

The decisive moment of the contest came when captain James Ashby was assessed an unsportsmanlike foul after the Greeks scored and then interfered with the ball when he tried to inbound it.

Two free throws and possession to Greece … game over.

“Most people know my temperament, but it’s the Youth Olympics and I couldn’t push the issue any further.

“At the end of the day, we made some incredibly uncharacteristic offensive and defensive decisions that killed us.”

“I’m disappointed to lose, but losing to Greece is pretty impressive.”

North Harbour’s Ben Fraser led New Zealand’s scoring with seven points off the bench, while Reuben Te Rangi and Ashby had six each.

The team has a bye on Monday and returns to action against Puerto Rico on Tuesday.