Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Tall Blacks have finished fourth at the Asia Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia.
New Zealand were beaten 79-73 by Iran in the play-off for bronze.
Australia beat China 90-89 in the final to retain their title.
New Zealand fell behind early and trailed Iran 47-33 at half time and while the Tall Blacks got close a couple of times, Iran were able to shoot their way to a good lead.
Flynn Cameron top scored with 18 points, while Mojave King was the only other player to reach double figures with 13.
New Zealand coach Judd Flavell admits they failed to defend well in the first half.
"They shot the ball very well and I think we were late in our defensive schemes and not quite as committed as we needed to be," Flavell said,
"The second half, a much better effort, this group finding some grit to work its way out of a hole and in the end making it a close ball game."
It was the third time power forward Tohi Smith-Milner had reached the Asia Cup semi-finals without making a final.
"We did show a lot of grit in the second half, especially for such a young team. I'm still so proud of this group. I have mixed emotions right now... just a little bit disappointed," said Smith-Milner.
In just their third FIBA Asia Cup, the Tall Blacks secured a third consecutive top-four finish after coming fourth at the 2017 edition and winning bronze in 2022.
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