Karutasu's Masterclass Lifts Türkiye Past Serbia
Darius Karutasu produced a commanding double-double, pouring in 21 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to steer Türkiye to a hard-fought 57-53 victory over Serbia at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. Türkiye established a 13-point lead by halftime, 33-20, and extended that advantage to 14 entering the fourth quarter, 44-30. Despite Serbia's bench providing a significant 30 points, they could not overcome the deficit, finishing the game shooting just 29% from the field (19/65). Türkiye, while shooting a similar 29%, outrebounded Serbia 50-39, a critical factor in securing the win. Karutasu's dominance, complemented by Demir Ozturk's 10 points and 7 rebounds, allowed Türkiye to withstand Serbia's late surge. This victory represents an important tournament opening statement for Türkiye, showcasing their resilience in tight contests.