Turkey started the 2014 FIBA World Championships for Women by defeating France 50 -48 in Group B on Saturday at Ankara Arena.
Less than a minute to go in the game, point guard Isil Alben scored the winning 3-pointer to put Turkey up 50 - 48. France could not use their chances in the remaining seconds of the game, giving Turkey their first victory.
Turkey had started the game hesitant and their woes would continue as they only managed to score 3 points in the second quarter. France was up 10 points after the first half, 27-17.
For Turkey, who currently ranks 13th in the FIBA world rankings, high scorers were power forward Lara Sanders with 13 points and 7 rebounds, point guard Isil Alben with 12 points.
For France, who currently ranks 4th in the FIBA world rankings, Center Sandrine Gruda had "double-double" scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
Other matches of the tournament
In Group D's first game, Serbia dominated Angola 102-42 in Istanbul.
Serbia shot 55.6 percent from the field, thanks to shooting guard Dajana Butulija's 15 points 5 assists and 5 steals and power forward Jelena Milovanovic's 16 points
For Angola, guard Fineza Eusebio and center Luisa Tomas had 9 points each.
In Group A, Spain cruised past Japan by 24 points, 74-50 in Ankara.
Spain's top performers were power forward Sancho Lyttle with 19 points and shooting guard Alba Torrens with 14 points. These two players currently play for Turkish club Galatasaray OdeaBank.
Power forward Ramu Tokashiki's 19 points and 7 rebounds were not enough for Japan.
In Group C, Belarus defeated South Korea 70-64 in Istanbul to secure their first win of the tournament. Belarus Small Forward Katsiaryna Snytsina was the top scorer with 17 points.
Belarus also triumphed thanks to center Yelena Leuchanka's all-around play: 10 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
South Korea could not repeat their solid first quarter performance -- they were up 23-11 -- in the following three quarters. Center Jisu Park scored 15 points, and point guard Jihyun Shin and Small Forward Heejin Choi each contributed 12 points in the losing effort.
Remaining games of the day are ongoing, Brazil is facing the Czech Republic in Group A and tournament favorites USA are clashing with China in Group D.
