ISTANBUL, Turkey – The Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team suffered a 77-74 defeat to Australia on Friday in a FIBA 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament game. The loss marks Turkey’s second in Group C play, while Australia remains undefeated at 4-0.
The game, played in Istanbul, saw a back-and-forth battle with both teams trading baskets early on. Turkey, led by the scoring of Sevgi Uzun and Olcay Çakır Turgut, established a 24-19 lead at the end of the first quarter, effectively utilizing their inside game.
The second quarter saw Turkey extend their lead to seven points at the 12-minute mark and six points at the 17-minute mark. But, Australia responded twice by tying the score. Turkey managed to regain the advantage, heading into halftime with a narrow 42-40 lead thanks to free throws from Sevgi Uzun in the final 15 seconds of the period.
Australia came out strong in the third quarter, taking the lead at the 24-minute mark and maintaining control for the remainder of the period. They entered the fourth quarter with a 58-54 advantage. The final frame proved to be a tense affair, with Australia’s Smith playing a key role in building a nine-point lead (73-64) with 1:57 remaining.
Despite the deficit, Turkey refused to concede, narrowing the gap to just two points (73-75) with 12 seconds left on the clock. However, Wilson of Australia secured the win with a basket in the paint with just eight seconds remaining, extending the lead to 77-74.
The Turkish team and coaching staff protested a no-call on what they believed was a foul committed against Sinem Ataş prior to Wilson’s basket. Head Coach Andrea Mazzon requested a review of the play, but the referees upheld their original decision, confirming Australia’s victory.
The game was a closely contested affair, highlighting the competitive nature of the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. While Turkey demonstrated resilience in battling back from deficits, Australia’s consistent performance and strong finish ultimately proved decisive. This loss places added pressure on Turkey as they continue their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Australia’s victory solidifies their position as a strong contender in Group C, while Turkey will need to regroup and secure wins in their remaining matches to improve their chances of qualification. The team will undoubtedly analyze this game closely, identifying areas for improvement as they prepare for their next challenge.
The Turkish team will look to bounce back from this defeat in their upcoming fixtures. The focus will be on refining their offensive execution and tightening their defensive strategies to compete effectively against their remaining opponents.
Fans can uncover more information about the FIBA 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, including schedules and results, on the official FIBA website: https://www.fiba.basketball/tr/events/fiba-womens-basketball-world-cup-2026-qualifying-tournament-istanbul-turkiye/games/128111-TUR-AUS
Turkey’s next game is yet to be announced, but updates and schedules can be found on the Turkish Basketball Federation website: https://www.tbf.org.tr/
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