By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes jumped to an early double-digit advantage and did not look back to defeat Pinar Karsiyaka, 87-64, Wednesday evening.
German center Tibor Pleiss recorded a team-high 20 points. Shane Larkin chipped in 16 more points. James Anderson (ankle) was not available. Securing the win in the Turkish Cup billed as Bitci Erkekler Turkiye Kupasi, the team coached by Ergin Ataman progressed to the Final Four to be held at Bursa.
Karsiyaka was eliminated from the final stage of the domestic tournament. Amath M’Baye packing a game-high 21 points was not enough to move his side past the quarterfinals. Teammates Semih Erden and James Blackmon remained on the injury list.
Earlier, Darussafaka prevailed, 88-80, over Bahcesehir Koleji to clinch a berth to the Final Four. Troy Caupain stood out with 18 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Isaiah Pineiro and Gabriel Olaseni added 18 and 16 points, respectively. On the opposite end, Sam Dekker and Jamar Smith shared a team-high 16 points.
The team led by Selcuk Ernak will meet Efes and Fenerbahce Beko will take on Galatasaray Nef in the Final Four semifinals Friday. The final will follow a couple of days later.
Quarterfinals
Gaziantep – Galatasaray Nef 62-77
Tofas – Fenerbahce Beko 88-93 OT (76-76)
Bahcesehir Koleji – Darussafaka 80-88
Anadolu Efes – Pinar Karsiyaka 87-64
Meanwhile, Frutti Extra Bursaspor routed Semt77 Yalovaspor, 81-65, in a delayed BSL Regular Season Round 16 contest. Onuralp Bitim and Andrew Andrews combined for 49 points, 27 and 22 respectively, lifting their side to 10-9.
Photo Credit: Anadolu Efes SK Twitter