Turkey beats Ukraine in World Cup qualifier

ANKARA

Turkey’s national basketball team defeated Ukraine 67-60 in Kiev’s City Arena late on Nov. 26.

The FIBA 2019 World Cup European Qualifier match in Group B saw both teams having a hard time scoring, as Turkey led the first quarter 16-12.

Ukraine led the first half by only one point, 38-37, behind a good performance from their shooting guard Sergiy Gladyr.

Turkey was still down by only one point after the third quarter, 53-52, as both teams scored 15 points each.

The last two minutes of the match were very close, as clutch plays by point guard Bariş Ermiş and center Sertaç Şanlı provided the edge for the Turkish team.

Ermiş finished with 10 points and 8 assists, while Şanlı scored 14 points, and Tolga Geçim added 15 points with three 3-pointers.

Gladyr’s game-high 20 points were not enough for Ukraine.

Turkey defeated Latvia 85-73 on Nov. 24 in the western city of Bursa to start Group B in good form.