U16 MEN

By Jared Grellet

Daniel Donzelli was Italy's top-scorer with 15 points, adding 5 rebounds

Turkey and Italy have provided an enthralling encounter to decide who will go to the second round as top qualifiers from Group A at the Dadu U16 European Championship as Italy finally prevailed 73-68.

With the sides exchanging baskets through the opening exchanges, it was Omer Ugurata's Turkish team making the first significant break of the game, going on a 13-1 run to be up by 11 early in the second quarter.

But with Pierfrancesco Oliva leading Italy with six second quarter points, the deficit was back to two at the half-time hooter.

The telling moment in the game occurred then came in the final three-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter when Italy upped the tempo to go a 10-0 run to see a tied game turn into a ten-point advantage heading into the final frame.

Despite fighting hard, Turkey never fully recovered as Italy held on to move to the next round as top qualifiers.

For Italy, Daniel Donzelli scored 15 points and Riccardo Rossato chipped in with 14.

Okben Ulubay scored 14 for Turkey.