BERLIN (AP) \u2014 Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points as Australia reached the final phase of the Women\u2019s Basketball World Cup with a physical 87-71 win over Turkey on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Turkey, led by Sevgi Uzun with 24 points, was down 8-0 at the start but fought back after a timeout to lead 15-14. That was brief, however, as the Opals rallied to end the first quarter 21-15 up and they did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n
Turkey\u2019s Goksen Fitik went off with what appeared to be a right-ankle injury in the third quarter but she returned in the fourth.<\/p>\n
The Australian team features seven World Cup debutants. Team captain Sami Whitcomb of the WNBA\u2019s Phoenix Mercury had to withdraw before the tournament with a lingering knee injury.<\/p>\n
Australia next plays European champion Belgium on Monday in a showdown that will likely decide which side progresses directly to the quarterfinals as group winner. Australia, after two wins, is already assured of at least a playoff place in the final phase of the competition.<\/p>\n
Belgium faced Puerto Rico in their second group game later Sunday.<\/p>\n
Also later, the United States played Italy with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers<\/a> bidding to stretch the Americans\u2019 winning run to 32 games. The U.S. hasn\u2019t lost a game at the World Cup since the semifinal game of the 2006 tournament.<\/p>\n Also, China with 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu<\/a> was playing the Czech Republic with both teams looking for their first wins.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n