Croatia defeated Argentina 90-85 as a tale of two late runs by the Croatians sealed the win in group stages of the 2014 FIBA World Cup at Palacio Municipal De Deportes San Pablo in Seville, Spain.
The game was very close until the end of the third quarter, as Croatia exploded to a 13-2 run to go up 75-63 heading into the fourth quarter. Another 5-0 run by the Croatians with two minutes left helped seal the the game.
Kruno Simon led the way for Croatia with 18 points. While Dario Saric, who's draft rights are owned by the Phillidelphia 76ers, and Bojan Bogdanovic, who will be playing for the Brooklyn Nets next season, added 16 points each.
Luis Scola carried Argentina throughout the entire game, and totaled 30 points and 9 rebounds. Facundo Campazzo added 13 points and 8 assists, while former NBA player Andres Nocioni added 11 in limited playing time.
Argentina's Pablo Prigioni left the game late in the third quarter with an apparent neck injury. He did not return.
Croatia's Oliver Lafayette also left the game with 2:30 remaining in the fourth quarter with an apparent head injury. He did not return as well and needed assistance reaching the team's locker room.
Both teams shot a solid 48 percent from the field, but Croatia had a slight edge in three-point shooting (39 percent to 38 percent) and costless throw shooting (77 percent to 70 percent). Croatia made four more three pointers than Argentina, which you can contribute to their win.
Croatia is now 2-0 in the tournament and will play Senegal tomorrow at 6:30 am ET.
Argentina falls to 1-1 and will take on Philippines tomorrow at 11:30 am ET.