THISDAYonline

Yugoslavia won their second consecutive gold medal at the World Basketball Championships on Sunday with an 84-77 win over Argentina.

It was Yugoslavia's fifth world title after wins in 1970, 1978, 1990 and 1998, and their 10th medal at the competition.

Yugoslavia led Sunday's closely-contested game 41-39 at half-time, with six lead changes and another nine ties in the opening 20 minutes.

But Argentina held their opponents to just 11 points in the third quarter to lead 57-52 heading into the fourth quarter.

Yugoslavia rallied, however, and tied the game on a pair of free throws by Dejan Bodiroga with 17.4 seconds to go.

Vlade Divac had a chance to win the game when he went to the free-throw line with 5.9 seconds remaining, but he missed both throws, sending the game into overtime.

Yugoslavia outscored Argentina 9-2 in the extra period to clinch gold.

Dejan Bodiroga scored 27 points for Yugoslavia, while Predrag Stojakovic had 26.

Argentina's silver medal was their first medal at the tournament since taking gold in 1950 at the inaugural event in Buenos Aires.

Earlier, Germany clinched the bronze medal with a comfortable 117-94 over New Zealand.

The Germans, making their third appearance in the tournament, totally dominated in the first half after falling behind by six points early in the first quarter.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 first-half points as the Kiwis simply could not contain Germany's high-powered attack in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, the United States ended their campaign with a 81-75 defeat against Spain.