The virus plagued Australian men's basketball team registered their fourth win in as many games in Zhuai, China overnight, courageously defeating Croatia 82-79.

Head Coach Brian Goorjian was so ill with a virus he was forced to stay at the team hotel – the first time in 22 years of coaching and 750 games he was not courtside - with Assistant Coach Gordon MacLeod stepping in.

Perth Wildcats point guard Brad Robbins also missed the game after being struck down by the virus as did New Zealand Breakers forward Oscar Forman who was also suffering from a hamstring injury.

Sydney King Mark Worthington continued his impressive tour form, top scoring for the Boomers with 22 points while Kings team-mate Russell Hinder contributed 17 points and South Dragon gun Joe Ingles and Perth Wildcat Alex Loughton added 12 points each in support.

“Croatia has had three games to come up with a game plan to nullify our boys and what we are doing and the pleasing thing was we were still able to get the job done even after we had further hurdles put in front of us,” MacLeod said.

“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.

“One thing we have been able to do is lay the platform with our defence and with the intensity that we are playing we are continuing to produce.

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

Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the opening term but on the back of a dogged defensive effort the Boomers managed to edge in front and lead 21-19 at quarter time.

The Boomers pushed ahead on a number of occasions in the second quarter but Croatia managed to regularly rein the margin in, the Boomers winning the term 23-22 to hold a 44-41 halftime lead.

The youthful Australians started the third term the stronger of the two and continued to increase their lead before Croatia again pinned them back, the Boomers winning the quarter 21-18 to lead 65-59.

Led by a number of big plays from Worthington and a clinch three point basket from Perth Wildcat sweet shooter Damien Ryan, the Boomers managed to stave off a late Croatian surge, recording a gallant 82-79 win.

The Boomers next match is against Italy tonight, Wednesday, June 20, at 9pm AEST.

The Tour is part of the preparation for the 2007 FIBA Oceania Men’s Championship between Australia and New Zealand set to take place on August 20, 22 and 24 in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Basketball Australia