Istanbul, Turkey – A strong start and a clutch finish propelled the Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team to a 71-69 victory over Canada in their opening match of the FIBA 2026 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament on Tuesday. The game, played at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, sets the stage for a challenging qualifying campaign as Turkey aims to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The Turkish team, playing on home court, demonstrated early dominance, building a significant lead in the first quarter. However, Canada mounted a fierce comeback, making for a nail-biting finish that ultimately saw Turkey emerge victorious. This win is particularly significant as it establishes Turkey as a strong contender in Group C of the qualifying tournament.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
Turkey came out firing, establishing a 7-0 run in the opening minute and twelve seconds of the game. Key contributions from Burke, Gökşen Fitik, and Alperi Onar quickly extended the lead to double digits, 5-16, by the six-minute mark. The Turkish squad effectively utilized their inside game, finishing the first period with a commanding 21-8 advantage. This early offensive burst established a clear intent and put immediate pressure on the Canadian team.
Canada Battles Back
The second quarter saw a more balanced contest, with both teams trading baskets. Olcay Çakır Turgut emerged as a key player for Turkey during this stretch, helping the team maintain their momentum. Turkey entered halftime with a comfortable 39-24 lead, but the Canadians weren’t ready to concede.
Canada began to find its rhythm in the third quarter, spearheaded by Carleton and Edwards. They chipped away at Turkey’s lead, reducing the deficit to six points, 45-51, with just 44 seconds remaining in the period. Despite the Canadian surge, Turkey managed to hold on and entered the final quarter leading 53-47. The third quarter demonstrated Canada’s resilience and ability to adjust, setting up a tense final ten minutes.
A Tight Fourth Quarter Decides the Outcome
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Canada continuing to apply pressure. Carleton continued to lead the Canadian offense, and a basket by Pellington gave Canada their first lead of the game, 64-63, at the 37-minute mark. The lead changed hands multiple times in the closing minutes, creating a dramatic finish.
With the game tied and the clock winding down, Olcay Çakır Turgut delivered a crucial basket for Turkey, securing the 71-69 victory. The final moments were characterized by intense defense and strategic play-calling from both sides, ultimately culminating in a hard-fought win for the home team.
Key Performers
For Turkey, Olcay Çakır Turgut led the scoring with 12 points, while Burke added 16. Sevgi Uzun and Alperi Onar also contributed with 12 and 9 points respectively. Canada was led by Carleton’s impressive 24-point performance, with Edwards adding 10.
Game Details
Venue: Turkcell Basketball Development Center, Istanbul, Turkey
Referees: Julio Anaya (Panama), Wissam Zein (Syria), Nicolas Zivieri (Brazil)
Team Statistics
Canada: Colley 3, Nurse 12, Carleton 24, Alexander, Edwards 10, Pellington 5, Hill, Wallack 2, Ejim 13, Russell
Turkey: Olcay Çakır Turgut 12, Gökşen Fitik 5, Sevgi Uzun 12, Burke 16, Esra Ural Topuz 6, Zeynep Gül, Alperi Onar 9, Derin Erdoğan 5, Elif Bayram 6, Sinem Ataş, Melek Uzunoğlu
What’s Next for Turkey?
A Milli Kadın Basketbol Takımı will continue their FIBA World Cup Qualifying campaign tomorrow, facing Argentina. Canada will face Hungary in their next match. This quick turnaround will test the Turkish team’s depth and resilience as they look to build on this opening victory and secure a favorable position in the group standings. The game against Argentina promises to be another challenging contest, requiring a similar level of focus and execution from the Turkish squad.
The win against Canada provides a significant boost of confidence for the Turkish team as they navigate the demanding qualifying schedule. Fans will be eager to see how they perform against Argentina and whether they can maintain their momentum throughout the tournament.
