Townsville Crocodiles held on for a nail-biting 67-64 home win over a fighting Melbourne Tigers on Sunday to mark Peter Crawford’s 400th NBL game.

The Tigers fought back within two points with eight seconds on the clock when Myron Allen was called for charging Eddie Gill, ending hopes of extending the encounter into extra time.

The Crocodiles had been on track for victory, with Crawford nailing the opening six points of the encounter to begin his milestone game in style.

He finished the game as the Crocs’ leading scorer with 14 points.

Townsville’s Luke Schenscher netted 13 points, controlling the paint and boards along with Elvin Mims who also sank 13.

Lucas Walker (13) was the only threat for the visitors, but fouled out mid-way through the final term to leave them without their leading scorer.

Townsville made one of their best starts of the season with a 10-2 run, the first six coming from the hand of Crawford.

Melbourne benched their entire starting line-up before Walker found his range to nail 3-of-3 from the field, but they were left trailing 20-12 at quarter-time.

The Tigers were a different outfit after the break, netting eight straight and out-scoring the Crocodiles 22-12 for the quarter to claim an unlikely 34-32 lead at halftime.

Townsville reclaimed the lead but it became a physical struggle, their leading scorer Schenscher picking up his fourth foul to earn a stint on the bench.

Melbourne briefly hit the front with Walker leading the way, but after a number of lead changes the Crocs surged late to boast a 52-44 advantage at the final break.