Spain outbattles Turkey to claim first place in Group A / News - Basketnews.com

Alperen Sengun fouled out with 5 minutes to go, Turkey had a chance to win the game but did not manage to go past halfcourt with 20 seconds to go, and Spain captured first place in Group A.

Credit: Federación Española de Baloncesto Credit Federación Española de Baloncesto

Spain (4-1) was better during the last minutes of the game and came out with a win against Turkey (3-2) 72-69 (17-18, 21-16, 18-16, 16-19) to take first place in Group A.

Player of the Game EFF 17 Willy Hernangomez Points 15 Accuracy 6-9 Rebounds 7 Assists 0

Having previously been the team leader, Alperen Sengun fouled out with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, leaving Turkey without a reliable inside presence. With the game tied at 59, Spain immediately answered with a Xabi Lopez-Arostegui triple and a Willy Hernangomez floater.

However, Turkey answered and even gained a lead with just over two minutes to go (66-65). The situation became even more fierce after Furkan Korkmaz received a technical foul when Spain was already leading by one (66-65).

When it looked like Spain had the game in control, Cedi Osman converted an and-one, and the teams were only separated by just one point (68-89). After a successful defensive possession, Turkey had the ball with 20 seconds to go.

However, following an extensive timeout, Turkey did not even manage to advance the ball past halfcourt. Willy Hernangomez converted the ensuing free throws and chose to foul on the next possession.

Shane Larkin missed his second free throw and Turkey had to foul again. Even though Lorenzo Brown missed his second shot as well, Spain grabbed the offensive rebound and the Sergio Scariolo team was victorious.

Spain will not battle either Lithuania or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 16, while Turkey's opponent will not be clear until all of today's matches are complete.

Willy Hernangomez led Spain with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Lorenzo Brown was the only other player who scored 10 or more points. The naturalized point guard finished the game with 11 points on 4-for-14 shooting and 7 assists.

Cedi Osman was the top scorer on the Turkish national team with 20 points, making 4 triples out of 10, also adding 5 rebounds to his account.

After the game, the head coach of the Turkish national team, Ergin Ataman, revealed that Shane Larkin has an injury with the fingers of his shooting hand, and will travel to Istanbul to perform an MRI.

Turkey: Cedi Osman 20 (3/4 2PT, 4/10 3PT, 5 REB), Furkan Korkmaz 16 (3/7 2PT, 3/10 3PT), Alperen Sengun 14 (5/9 2PT, 12 REB).

Spain: Willy Hernangomez 15 (6/9 2PT, 7 REB), Lorenzo Brown 11 (4/11 2PT, 7 AST).

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