EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Bojan Bogdanovic nailed a late three-pointer and Roko Leni Ukic was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief after Croatia edged out Ukraine 80-79 in overtime.

Bojan Bogdanovic's last gasp trey bailed out Roko Leni Ukic and Croatia

Ukic missed two free throws with two seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime, but Bogdanovic bailed him out when he hit a three-pointer six seconds from the overtime buzzer to win it.

In a thrilling finish to the fourth quarter, the lead bounced back and forth.

Ukraine had held a 57-52 advantage early in the quarter on Kyryl Natyazhko's jumps-shot, but Krunoslav Simon's three helped bring Croatia level.

They could not get in front themselves until another three, from Rok Stipcevic, made it 63-61 with 4:57 to go.

Damir Markota's jump-shot stretched the lead to four but Ukraine responded with six straight to take a 67-65 edge on Dmytro Zabirchenko's free throws.

Bogdanovic and Simon powered Croatia into a two-point lead with 52 seconds left, but after Stiven Bertt tied it 69-69 19 ticks from time, Ukic went to the charity stripe and fluffed his lines.

Ukraine looked to be edging to victory in the extra period, going 78-75 clear on Viacheslav Kravtsov's free throws, and leading 79-77 when Zabirchenko split a pair 18 seconds from time.

But Bogdanovic's big three put Croatia in front and Oleksiy Pecherov missed a late chance to swing it in Ukraine's favour.

Bogdanovic led Croatia with 20 points while Simon added 15 and Markota 14. Ukic finished with 10. Kravtsov had 14 points for Ukraine, and Bertt, Artur Drozdov and Pecherov had 11 each.