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Türkiye's women's national basketball team defeated Montenegro 79-62 in Istanbul on Wednesday, opening its second-round campaign in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers with a victory in its first match under new head coach Frederic Dusart.
Playing at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, Türkiye gradually pulled away from Montenegro, with Elif Bayram leading the hosts with 18 points.
Montenegro made a strong start, but Türkiye responded with six consecutive points from Goksen Fitik to move ahead 11-8 before closing the opening quarter with an 18-14 advantage.
The hosts extended their lead early in the second quarter, with Alperi Onar and Bayram contributing close-range baskets. However, Montenegro stayed within reach through Davis-Reimer, Aksam and Radonjic, reducing the deficit to six points as Türkiye entered halftime leading 37-31.
Türkiye began to pull away after the break as three-pointers from Sevgi Uzun and Derin Erdogan helped establish a 47-37 lead midway through the third quarter.
The hosts then stepped up their defense and put together an unanswered eight-point run, stretching their advantage to 57-42 heading into the final period.
Türkiye maintained its lead throughout the fourth quarter to complete the 17-point victory.
Bayram finished as Türkiye's leading scorer with 18 points, while Beren Burke and Derin Erdogan added 13 each. Davis-Reimer led Montenegro with 22 points.
Following its opening Group I victory, Türkiye will take on Israel on Nov. 14 at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia.
The match is scheduled to begin at 5:40 p.m. GMT.
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