The Tall Ferns’ campaign at the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico is over after an 86-71 semi-final loss to Canada.
New Zealand matched the North American-side early in Guadalajara, trailing by just three points at the end of the opening stanza.
Despite the promising start, Canada found another gear in the second spell, building a 14-point lead by hafltime.
That advantage ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Captain Tayla Dalton said despite the loss, the tournament had reinforced the belief that New Zealand can compete at the highest level.
“We’re going to win games, we’re going to be really tough competitors, and I think this group of ten, and our coaching staff are hungry for it,” Dalton said.
“We’re going to go away and work our individual game, our team game, so that when the next tournament comes, we’re aiming for the final.”
Canada 86 (Gibb 17p, Swords 17p, Bascoe 15p) defeat 2degrees Tall Ferns 71 (L. Whittaker 21p, Tofaeono 18p, Shearer 12p)