Boxscores

NOVI SAD (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Turkey prevailed in a high-scoring clash over Nigeria to clinch second place in Group C while keeping the Africans winless.

Ibrahim Adamu Yusuf had 29 points and eight rebounds for Nigeria, but that wasn’t enough to spirit the side to their first victory.

Turkey looked to be in control at the start of the second half when they scored the first six points to open up a 56-40 advantage.

But the European team couldn’t put away their opponents who went on a stunning 18-0 run which lasted just over four minutes to lead 58-56.

Three different Nigerians buried three-pointers in the run, including Mohammed Bukar who sparked the comeback with a shot from the arc.

Ibrahim Adamu Yusuf’s three-ball cut the Turkey lead to 56-48, and then with 3:39 remaining in the period, Michael Ohiero’s three capped the amazing run to leave Nigeria ahead by two.

That last basket got Turkey’s attention.

Dogus Balbay stopped the rot with a dunk and scored six points in an 8-0 spurt that left Turkey ahead, 64-58.

Nigeria fought like warriors, refusing to let Turkey run away.

Solomon Alabi’s dunk with less than five minutes remaining tied the contest at 71-71, and the Africans looked as if they might be able to achieve the breakthrough and get the first win for themselves, and their continent with Mali finishing the group stages at 0-3.

It wasn’t to be, however.

Deniz Tunca went in for a lay-up to start a decisive 7-0 run that gave them a 78-71 lead and left them in command for the remainder of the contest.

FIBA