NZ Tall Ferns have fallen to their second consecutive defeat at basketball's Asia Cup, going down 62-50 to Japan in Jordan.
The Kiwi women's shooting woes from their opening loss to Korea continued to plague them - sinking just 3 of their 18 attempts from three-point range - while their carelessness with the basketball contributed to a whopping 23 turnovers.
The team now need to win both their remaining two games, if they hope to finish in the top four and qualify for the 2022 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
None of the Tall Ferns players reached double-figures scoring, as the Tokyo Olympics silver-medallists showcased their trademark defensive hustle.
After a slow start, coach Guy Molloy went to his bench early to search for answers, with Tessa Boagni, Krystal Leger-Walker and Mary Goulding repaying that faith by sparking a rally to put the team in the lead at halftime.
The Kiwis' defence helped keep them in the contest, until a late flurry from the Japanese took the game away from them.
Boagni was the pick of the Tall Ferns with nine points, nailing all four of her field goals to go with five rebounds, while Krystal Leger-Walker also added nine points, four rebounds and two assists.
Power forward Stephanie Mawuli posted 15 points for Japan, with guard Saki Hayashi adding 12.
The Tall Ferns will move on to face India in their next Group A clash on Wednesday.
