The New Zealand men's basketball side have lost their second match against Puerto Rico in Florida, going down 110-85.

Guard Kirk Penney was the New Zealanders top scorer with a haul of 24, while Nelson Giants' Phill Jones weighed in with 19.

The Tall Blacks were 20 points down at half-time, trailing 59-39 at half-time.

The result was a reversal of their first game, which they won 90-84.

Tab Baldwin's side will now have a practice game against US Olympic side as they prepare for the Athens Games.

He was furious with his team's performance, describing the Tall Blacks' defence as the worst he had seen.

"They played incredibly badly," he said.

"There are no excuses for that performance."

Puerto Rico head coach Julio Toro said his side were far better composed than in the first match.

"Two or three players who didn't perform two days ago responded. We were running more. We were helping more, there was more communication."

Puerto Rico 110 (Sharif Fajardo 25, Christian Dalmau 20, Larry Ayuso 18, Rick Apodaca 14, Jose Ortiz 10, Eddie Casiano 10)

Tall Blacks 85 (Kirk Penney 24, Phill Jones 19)
Halftime 59-39