|
|
|
|
Printable Page
09/06 06:55 CDT Australia beats Turkey for 2nd win at Women's Basketball World
Cup, US plays Italy later
Australia beats Turkey for 2nd win at Women's Basketball World Cup, US plays
Italy later
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
BERLIN (AP) --- Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points as Australia reached the final
phase of the Women's Basketball World Cup with a physical 87-71 win over Turkey
on Sunday.
Turkey, led by Sevgi Uzun with 24 points, was down 8-0 at the start but fought
back after a timeout to lead 15-14. That was brief, however, as the Opals
rallied to end the first quarter 21-15 up and they did not relinquish the lead
for the rest of the game.
Turkey's Goksen Fitik went off with what appeared to be a right-ankle injury in
the third quarter but she returned in the fourth.
The Australian team features seven World Cup debutants. Team captain Sami
Whitcomb of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury had to withdraw before the tournament
with a lingering knee injury.
Australia next plays European champion Belgium on Monday in a showdown that
will likely decide which side progresses directly to the quarterfinals as group
winner. Australia, after two wins, is already assured of at least a playoff
place in the final phase of the competition.
Belgium faced Puerto Rico in their second group game later Sunday.
Also later, the United States played Italy with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and
Paige Bueckers bidding to stretch the Americans' winning run to 32 games. The
U.S. hasn't lost a game at the World Cup since the semifinal game of the 2006
tournament.
Also, China with 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu was playing the Czech Republic with both
teams looking for their first wins.
___
See AP's full WNBA coverage here
|
| Copyright DTN. All rights reserved. Disclaimer. |
|
