Boomers edge past Croatia: 82-79 - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Boomers edge past Croatia: 82-79

20/06/2007 05:53:46 AM Comments (0)

The Boomers have continued their unbeaten run on their basketball tour of China, defeating Croatia 82-79 in Zhuai.

Despite the absence of virus-stricken coach Brian Goorjian and two key players, Australia scored their fourth-straight victory on tour, with Mark Worthington top-scoring with 22 points and fellow Sydney King Russell Hinder contributing 17.

Assistant coach Gordon McLeod took over the reigns from Goorjian, who was forced to stay at the team hotel because of illness - the first time in 22 years of coaching and 750 games he was not courtside.

Perth Wildcats point guard Brad Robbins also missed the game through illness, with New Zealand Breakers forward Oscar Forman absent with a hamstring injury.

"It was a great effort by the players and support staff and the guys have really got some superb team work going and that really helped," McLeod said.

"Brian was ecstatic when we got back to the hotel. He was simply over the moon. We keep marching on."

The win follows previous triumphs over Italy (77-54), China (77-66) and Croatia (80-56) already on their 11-day tour.

The Boomers next match is against Italy on Wednesday night (9pm AEST).

Australia is using the tour as part of their preparation for the 2007 FIBA Oceania Men's Championship series against New Zealand in August. The Boomers face the Tall Blacks on August 20, 22 and 24 in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

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