Serbia wins thriller in Belgrade, eliminates Turkey from World Cup contention / News - Basketnews.com

Marko Guduric led Serbia with 18 points (5/7 2PT, 0/4 3PT, 8/8 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 19 EFF.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Serbia made a huge step forward toward FIBA World Cup 2023 by defeating another European power Turkey at home, 77-76 (24-21, 13-13, 17-20, 23-22).

Serbia / Schedule

Great Britain Serbia68-74 Serbia Turkey77-76

With this win, Serbia is one victory away from qualifying for the next year's World Cup.

Meanwhile, Turkey's journey is over. The team will miss the first World Cup since 1998.

The whole game went neck-on-neck. It was tied at 54 after three quarters. The game was leveled again, at 70, after Marko Guduric's two-point bucket with 4:20 to go. Both teams exchanged with triples, while Guduric put his team in front (75-73).

Despite that, Scottie Wilbekin connected from deep and retook the minimal lead (76-75). Guduric continued the roller-coaster ride (77-76), while Wilbekin missed both shots from the charity stripe on the other end with 1:09 to play.

Both national teams traded with unsuccessful attacks. Serbia had a ball in their hands with 33 seconds left on the clock but turned the ball over. On the other end, Turkey had 12.8 seconds to win the game. Scottie Wilbekin took the initiative but missed the game-winning floater.

The intense and emotional game was marked by a heated conflict between two head coaches, Svetislav Pesic and Ergin Ataman.

They could not control their emotions in the third quarter.

Marko Guduric led Serbia with 18 points (5/7 2PT, 0/4 3PT, 8/8 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 19 EFF.

Vasilije Micic could not help his country, as Anadolu Efes Istanbul didn't allow their star guard to join the Serbian NT for this game.

Serbia: Marko Guduric 18, Dusan Ristic 16, Ognjen Dobric 11, Luka Mitrovic 10.

Turkey: Scottie Wilbekin 22, Onuralp Bitim 18 (5 REB), Kenan Sipahi 11.

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