Karutasu's Masterclass Lifts Türkiye Over Venezuela
Darius Karutasu put on a show, leading Türkiye to a hard-fought 78-73 win over Venezuela at the FIBA U17 World Cup. The standout player posted 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists for a double-double that ignited his squad. After trailing 37-40 at halftime, Türkiye seized control with a decisive 23-14 run in the third quarter, entering the final period with a 60-54 advantage. Türkiye maintained their momentum, fending off Venezuelan challenges despite shooting a slightly lower percentage from the field (44% to Venezuela's 47%). Türkiye's bench also provided a crucial spark, outscoring Venezuela's reserves 21-5. Omer Yusuf Sik and Omer Kutluay chipped in 15 points apiece, bolstering Karutasu's effort. For Venezuela, Carlos Perez and Williams Anillo led the scoring with 17 and 16 points respectively, while Kevin Gutierrez added 13 points and 3 blocks, but it wasn't enough to overcome Türkiye's collective effort. This victory serves as a significant statement for Türkiye in the global tournament.