Ersan Ilyasova Turkey
Photo: FIBA.Basketball

Ersan Ilyasova made an impressive double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) and led Turkey past Japan in the opening game of Group E (86-67).

The Turks led from start to finish and never looked back. Japan never recovered from an early double-digit deficit (28-12) and were easily defeated.

Melih Mahmutoglu (17 points) and Cedi Osman (12 points) also scored in double figures for the winners.

Rui Hachimura and Nick Fazekas were the top scorers of the losing squad, with 15 points apiece.

Turkey will face Team USA on Tuesday (03/09), while Japan will battle the Czech Republic.

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