Puerto Rico Stuns Türkiye in World Cup Thriller
Puerto Rico staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Türkiye 75-71 on Tuesday at the FIBA Women's World Cup, with Arella Guirantes and Imani McGee-Stafford spearheading the surge.
The game, held at the Max-Schmeling-Halle, saw Türkiye lead 40-37 at halftime and extend their advantage to 58-51 entering the final period. However, Puerto Rico unleashed a decisive 24-13 run in the fourth to seize control and secure the victory.
McGee-Stafford was instrumental, recording a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Guirantes poured in 21 points and dished out 5 assists. Trinity San Antonio also delivered a strong performance with 18 points and 3 steals, complementing the efforts of her teammates. Türkiye's efforts, including 18 points and 8 assists from Sevgi Uzun and a double-double from Elif Bayram (13 points, 12 rebounds), were ultimately not enough.
Despite Türkiye's 12 made three-pointers and a significant advantage in bench scoring (24-15), Puerto Rico's superior field goal percentage (51% to 32%) and clutch play down the stretch proved decisive. The win signals a significant statement of intent from Puerto Rico in the tournament, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.