Australia secured a decisive 87‑71 victory over Turkey in the Women’s Basketball World Cup, moving into the final phase with two wins and a strong chance of reaching the championship round.
Australia's Dominant Performance
The Opals built on an early surge that erased a brief 15‑14 lead Turkey had taken after a timeout, with Ezi Magbegor contributing 21 points and Sevgi Uzun leading the Turkish side with 24.
While Turkey’s Goksen Fitik suffered a right‑ankle injury in the third quarter, she returned for the fourth, and Australia’s captain Sami Whitcomb was sidelined by a lingering knee problem, leaving seven World Cup debutants to step onto the court.
The next test comes on Monday when Australia faces European champion Belgium, a match that could determine whether the Opals advance directly to the quarterfinals.
Across the court, the United States continued its flawless run by defeating Italy, as Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers combined to extend the Americans’ unbeaten streak toward 32 games.
The U.S. has not lost a game at the Women’s Basketball World Cup since the 2006 semifinal, underscoring its dominance in the tournament.
Meanwhile, China met the Czech Republic in a battle for its first tournament win, while the Czech side also sought its opening victory.
With the knockout stage looming, the competition promises heightened drama as teams jostle for positioning, and Australia’s upcoming clash with Belgium may well decide its path to the final.