Slovenia beats Croatia 91-84 in first close game of Group B

Slovenia beats Croatia 91-84 in best Group B game

ISTANBUL — Uros Slokar and Jaka Lakovic scored 15 points each, and Slovenia beat Croatia 91-84 on Monday in the group stage of the World Championships.

Slovenia (2-1) took the lead for good on Miha Zupan’s 3-pointer with 6:33 remaining. Samo Udrih followed with a layup and Lakovic made a 3-pointer, making it 77-71 with 5:04 remaining.

The Slovenians never let Croatia (1-2) get closer than four from there, delighting their green-clad fans who chanted and danced throughout much of the second half.

Every game in the first two days of Group B action had been decided by double digits.

Phoenix guard Goran Dragic had 14 points and Bostjan Nachbar 11 for Slovenia, which bounced back from its loss to the United States on Sunday.

Roko Ukic scored 20 points, and Marko Popovic and Marko Tomas added 17 apiece for Croatia, which shot 55 percent from 3-point range but only 15 of 26 from the foul line.