By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Galatasaray Nef dominated the second half to defeat Turk Telekom, 88-71, Sunday.
Former Maryland standout, Melo Trimble connected seven three-pointers en route for a game-high 27 points in the BSL Regular Season Round 15 contest. Kerry Blackshear Jr. and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell contributed 16 more points apiece.
The visitors led for most of the first half but were outscored, 25-12, in the third quarter. Despite JaJuan Johnson scoring 18 points, the team coached by Henrik Rodl trailed by double-digits through the last quarter.
The team placed in Group I of the Basketball Champions League Round of 16 jumped to 10-5 after its third consecutive win at the domestic level. The team based in Ankara fell to 5-10.
With half of the Round 15 games suspended, Fenerbahce Beko retained its safe lead standing at 13-1 and on top of the table. Anadolu Efes follows carrying an 11-3 record.
Darussafaka went up to 11-4 after edging Pinar Karsiyaka, 82-79, Saturday. Troy Caupain poured 20 points and Gabriel Olaseni posted an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double. Bonzie Colson with a game-high 23 points landed on the wrong end of the result.
The remaining action included Tofas destroying HDI Sigorta Afyon Belediyespor, 145-55, and improving its domestic tally to 8-7. In early December, the losing side decided to complete the 2021-22 season featuring only Turkish players.
Elsewhere, Frutti Extra Bursaspor beat Gaziantep, 75-67, on the road. The winning team jumped to 7-8 and forced the hosts down to 9-6.
BSL Regular Season Round 15:
Pinar Karsiyaka – Darussafaka 79-82
Tofas – HDI Sigorta Afyon Belediyespor 145-55
Gaziantep – Frutti Extra Bursaspor 67-75
Galatasaray Nef – Turk Telekom 88-71
Besiktas Icrypex – Aliaga Petkim Spor PPD
Yukatel Merkezefendi – Bahcesehir Koleji PPD
Semt77 Yalovaspor – Anadolu Efes PPD
Fenerbahce Beko – Buyukcekmece (18/1)
Photo Credit: Galatasaray Basketbol Twitter