By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite a 33-23 half time lead, Turkey had to work until the final buzzer in order to beat Senegal and qualify with a 1-1 record in the semifinals of the pre-Olympic tournament of Manila, where it’s expected to play against France.
The team of coach Ergin Ataman playing without injured Cedi Osman got the 68-62 win in a game decided in the last seconds thanks to the amazing game of Bobby Dixon.
Senegal cut the lead of Turkey to one point (46-45) at the start of the last quarter, but the eventual winners reacted with a 7-2 run (53-47). Dixon made it a nine points game (61-52) thanks to crucial three, but that was not the end of it. Senegal with a quick 8-2 run entered the last minute trailing just by three (63-60), however Dixon made the biggest shot of the game (66-60) with 45 left on the clock and the game was decided.
Dixon was the absolute MVP of the game with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists was the leader of Turkey, Semih Erden was the top scorer with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Maurice Ndour who played for Real Madrid last season had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Senegal.