The Australian Crocs had a nail-biting start to their FIBA Under-17 World Cup campaign, defeating Dominican Republic 73-71 in Argentina.
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After a close contest in the first quarter, the Domincan Republic surged in the second quarter before the Crocs stemmed the flow and then took the momentum in the final term to clinch victory.
But a heartbreaking loss by the same margin followed to powerhouse team Turkey.
It came after a 27-17 opening quarter by the Crocs, which looked in control for most of the contest to lead by 11 at three-quarter time.
But Turkey was relentless as it chased down the Australian side in the final term with an 11-0 run.
The Crocs come up against Puerto Rico before the round of 16 leading into finals.
Nathan Cooper-Brown, who is Basketball Ballarat athlete and coach development manager and head coach of South East Australian Basketball League team Ballarat Miners, is assistant coach of the side, working alongside Justin Schueller (head coach) and David Ingham (assistant coach).