Türkiye Suffers First Loss in FIBA World Cup Qualifying, Falls to Argentina 59-55

Istanbul, Turkey – The Turkish Women’s National Basketball Team experienced their first defeat in the FIBA 2026 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, dropping a hard-fought contest to Argentina 59-55 on Thursday. The loss comes after a strong opening win against Canada, and sets up a crucial matchup against Japan on Saturday.

The Turkish squad, known as Potanın Perileri (The Girls of the Basket), had built momentum with their initial victory, but struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm in the second half against a determined Argentinian side. The game, played at the Turkcell Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi in Istanbul, showcased a back-and-forth battle that ultimately went down to the wire.

First Half Sees Turkey Accept Control

Turkey started brightly, demonstrating good ball movement and effectively limiting Argentina’s opportunities in the paint. Relying on their size advantage, the Turkish players generated early scoring opportunities. The first quarter ended in a 12-12 tie, a testament to the tight defensive play from both teams.

The second quarter saw a scoring drought for both sides initially, before Turkey found their range from beyond the arc. A series of three-pointers propelled them to a double-digit lead, reaching a 28-18 advantage. Turkey continued to control the tempo, heading into halftime with a 30-24 lead.

Argentina Responds in the Second Half

Argentina emerged from the break with renewed energy, quickly closing the gap. They tied the score at 33-33 early in the third quarter. Sevgi Uzun and Beren Burke responded for Turkey with crucial outside shots, restoring some breathing room for the home team. Turkey finished the third period leading 50-44, appearing to be in a strong position to secure the win.

A Tense Fourth Quarter Decides the Outcome

The final quarter proved to be a struggle for the Turkish offense. Argentina chipped away at the lead, tying the game at 52-52 with just over three minutes remaining. A closely contested final stretch saw Turkey briefly regain the lead, 55-54, with under a minute to play. However, Argentina’s Agostina Burani converted a crucial free throw with 32 seconds left, tying the score once again at 55-55.

Turkey’s subsequent possessions yielded no points, and Argentina capitalized. Julieta Mungo and Melisa Gretter both converted two free throws each in the closing seconds, securing a 59-55 victory for the South American team. Turkey was unable to respond in the remaining time, resulting in their first loss of the qualifying campaign.

Key Performers

Kennedy Burke led Turkey in scoring with 14 points, while Sevgi Uzun added 12. For Argentina, Melisa Gretter was the standout performer with 16 points, followed by Agostina Burani with 12.

Olcay Çakır Turgut fouled out for Turkey with 39:50 remaining in the game.

What’s Next for Turkey?

Turkey will look to rebound from this defeat when they face Japan on Saturday evening. The game will be a crucial test for the team as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The match is scheduled for [verify and insert time/UTC if possible].

Box Score:

(Note: Box score details represent individual player points scored.)

The loss to Argentina underscores the competitive nature of the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament. Turkey will require to regroup quickly and address their offensive struggles in the fourth quarter if they hope to achieve their goal of reaching the World Cup. The upcoming match against Japan will undoubtedly be a challenging one, but Potanın Perileri will be determined to return to winning form in front of their home crowd.

Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament.