Turkey Defeats Japan 75-67 in FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying – Beren Burke Named MVP

Istanbul, Turkey – The Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team secured a crucial 75-67 victory over Japan on Saturday in Istanbul, furthering their chances in the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament. The win marks Turkey’s second victory in Group C of the qualifying event.

This result sets the stage for a pivotal matchup against Australia on Sunday evening, as Turkey continues its pursuit of a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The game will be played at the Basketball Development Center in Istanbul.

The first quarter saw Japan establish an early lead, capitalizing on mid-range jump shots. Turkey responded with a focus on interior scoring and perimeter shooting, attempting to keep pace. Japan maintained control for much of the period, closing the first quarter with a 20-16 advantage.

Turkey began the second quarter determined to close the gap, attacking the paint and attempting to exploit mismatches. Alperi Onar’s layup tied the game at 20-20 early in the quarter. However, Japan answered with a series of three-pointers, building a double-digit lead, culminating in a Yamamoto three-pointer that extended their advantage to 41-30. Despite Turkey’s efforts to rally, Japan entered halftime leading 41-35.

Coming out of the break, Turkey quickly mounted a comeback, fueled by a 11-0 run initiated by a basket from Beren Burke, giving them a 46-41 lead. Japan responded with a 9-0 run of their own, highlighted by a three-pointer from Takada, regaining the lead at 50-46. A three-pointer from Sevgi Uzun then sparked a 6-0 run for Turkey, putting them back in front 52-50. Alperi Onar’s basket sent Turkey into the final quarter with a narrow 55-54 lead.

The fourth quarter saw Turkey capitalize on home-court advantage, opening with a 6-0 run, punctuated by a layup from Alperi Onar, extending their lead to 61-54. Japan fought back, narrowing the deficit to as little as two points with scores inside. However, Turkey held firm in the closing minutes, securing the 75-67 victory.

Beren Burke was named the player of the match for her performance, leading all scorers with 25 points.

Game Details:

• Venue: Basketball Development Center, Istanbul
• Referees: Julio Anaya (Panama), Kyoungjin Park (South Korea), Nicolas Zivieri (Brazil)

Japan Box Score: Machida 5, Tanaka 6, Hirashita 5, Takada 9, Tokashiki 7, Konno, Mawuli 3, Asahina, Yamamoto 18, Yabu, Miyazawa 11, Todo 3

Turkey Box Score: Sevgi Uzun 17, Olcay Çakır Turgut 8, Gökşen Fitik 3, Beren Burke 25, Esra Ural Topuz 6, Ayşe Cora Yamaner 7, Alperi Onar 7, Elif Bayram, Zeynep Gül, Derin Erdoğan 2, Sinem Ataş, Melek Uzunoğlu

Quarter Scores: 20-16 (Japan), 41-35 (Japan), 54-55 (Turkey), Final: 75-67 (Turkey)

The Turkish team demonstrated resilience and composure throughout the game, overcoming a first-half deficit to secure a vital win. The ability to respond to Japan’s scoring runs, particularly in the second and fourth quarters, proved crucial. This victory places Turkey in a strong position within Group C as they prepare for their next challenge against a tough Australian side.

The upcoming match against Australia will be a significant test for Turkey. Australia, a perennial powerhouse in women’s basketball, will present a different set of challenges, requiring a focused defensive effort and consistent offensive execution. Fans can expect a competitive contest as both teams vie for a favorable position in the qualifying tournament standings.

Turkey will need to continue leveraging the strong performances of players like Beren Burke and Sevgi Uzun, whereas also maintaining a collective team effort to contain Australia’s scoring threats. The support of the home crowd will undoubtedly play a role as Turkey aims to build on this momentum and secure another important victory.

Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament, including live updates, analysis, and exclusive interviews.