By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Three Euroleague defeats in a row was a bit too much for last season’s finalists. Being superior than Anadolu Efes down the stretch, Fenerbahce won the Turkish showdown 88 – 80, thus returning to victories in the competition after a two-week drought.
It was the duo of Kostas Sloukas (21 points, 4 assists) and Jan Vesely (20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) that spearheaded Fenerbahce‘s efforts, often working in unison. On the other side, Jayson Granger dropped 19 points and grabbed 5 rebounds while Bryant Dunston added 11 points, 6 rebounds plus what might be the Dunk of the week in Euroleague.
The two teams walked side by side for most of the game’s duration. It was actually the guests that often showed a better picture on the floor in the first 25 minutes, using their speed and hustle to outplay their opponents, leading 53 – 58 shortly after their entrance in the second half.
Fenerbahce’s answer came through the immense force of Vesely who paced his team through a 11-3 partial score that closed the third quarter with his team ahead 64 – 61. Then Melih Mahmutoglu and Nikola Kalinic struck for Fener‘s first double-digit lead in the match, 75 – 65 with a bit more than six minutes to go.
Efes had lots its offensive mojo and the energy that previously defined its defense. With their hosts possessing the momentum and the brilliant Sloukas adding the finishing touch, the match had simply taken its course in favor of Fenerbahce and there was no turning back.