Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Tall Ferns have lost the first game of their European tour, falling 83-64 to Serbia in a women's basketball friendly in Belgrade.
Charlisse Leger-Walker led New Zealand's scoring with 15 points, while Grace Hunter scored 10 off the bench on a perfect four-from-four shooting.
Veteran Penina Davidson added nine points and a game-high eight rebounds while Krystal Leger-Walker led a strong bench effort with seven points, a game-high seven assists and four rebounds.
Serbia were led by Ivana Raca and her 22 points, six steals and six rebounds.
It was a fighting performance from the Tall Ferns against the world's eighth-ranked team.
Having trailed 52-21 at halftime, the tourists "won" the second half 43-31.
They couldn't match Serbia's dangerous three point shooting (10/19) and accuracy from the free throw line.
The teams were to meet again on Tuesday morning (NZT) as part of the three-game series before the Tall Ferns head to Istanbul to face Turkey and Poland.
- RNZ