U16 Men Group F

by Dan Casey

It was Damien Inglis once again, doing the most damage for France with 12 points and 8 rebounds

Defense ruled the day as France held Turkey to 17 second-half points and improved their Qualifying Round Group F record to 4-0 in a 51-44 win.

Cedi Osman was instrumental in a 9-2 surge which pushed Turkey ahead in the first quarter, and they consolidated the lead by holding the French to 6 points in the second period.

Metecan Birsen scored at the half-time buzzer to give his side a 27-22 lead.

But France closed the third quarter on a 9-2 run to level the scores on Arthur Rozenfeld's free-throws, 38-38.

Birsen scored with 4:38 remaining in the final period to put Turkey ahead, 44-42, but it was Turkey's last basket as the French team finished the game with a 9-0 run.

France were led by 16 points from Olivier Yao-Delon on 6-7 shooting, and captain Damien Inglis added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

Osman top-scored for Turkey with 12 points and Ayberk Güleryüz added 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals.

Turkey will clinch a quarter-final place if they can defeat Ukraine tomorrow, but their progress will be guaranteed tonight if Croatia beat Latvia in the late game.