In the Group C of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Croatia (0-1) lost a very tight battle against Slovenia (1-0) in one of the most anticipated games of this window.
Croatia
Slovenia
SwedenA three-pointer by Cebasek with less than one minute was decisive for Slovenia's win. The final score was 76-74 (16-19, 25-20, 14-17, 21-18).
With Slovenia up by three points, Croatia wasted a key offensive possession with an offensive foul with just 5 seconds left on the game clock. Slovenia then sealed the victory at the free-throw line
The game remained extremely close in the final quarter. The two teams exchanged baskets and advantages for most of the period. A key three-pointer by Cebasek gave Slovenia a two-point lead with 48 seconds remaining on the clock (71-69).
After building their maximum lead in the third quarter (52-45), Slovenia started to lose some rhythm offensively and Croatia used the situation to its own advantage. Coach Mrsic's guys cut down the deficit to just one point at the end of the third (56-55).
The second quarter followed the same path, Croatia started better and built a comfortable lead but Slovenia reacted in a positive way and finished the period with an 8-0 run, taking the lead at the half (41-39).
Croatia started the game on a high note with an 11-3 run but Slovenia quickly bounced back with a couple of three-pointers from Nikolic and Prepelic, finishing the first quarter down only by 3 points (19-16).
Klemen Prepelic was the top scorer for Slovenia with 16 points (2/6 2PT, 1/7 3PT, 9/10 FT), 2 assists, 1 rebound, 3 turnovers, and 5 EFF.
Filip Bundovic, instead, was the top scorer for Croatia with 16 points (2/3 2PT, 2/5 3PT, 6/7 FT), 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, and 23 EFF.
Croatia: Filip Bundovic 16 (7 REB), Roko Prkacin 15 (5 REB), Roko Badzim 11
Slovenia: Klemen Prepelic 16, Jaka Blazic 15 (9 REB), Edo Muric 14 (10 REB), Luka Rupnik 11
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