By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Comfortably distanced for most of the 40 minutes, Fenerbahce Beko returned to the win column of the Turkish League by routing HDI Sigorta Afyon Belediyesi, 99-61, Friday evening.
Georgetown product Markel Starks led the way with 18 points. Sehmus Hazer and Ahmet Duverioglu added 14 points each. Czech star Jan Vesely chipped in nine points, three assists, and three rebounds in 18 minutes. Injured Nando de Colo missed the BSL Regular Season Round 26 game sitting out along with Pierria Henry, Marial Shayok, Danilo Barthel, Jehyve Floyd, and Achille Polonara.
For the hosts, Trinidadian Johnny Hamilton scored 17 points, including a couple of emphatic dunks spurring some excitement in the one-sided affair. Experienced point guard Kenny Hayes ended up with 14 points.
Following the loss to Pinar Karsiyaka last week, the team coached by Sasha Djordjevic improved its league-leading record to 21-5. Fellow Turkish Airlines EuroLeague participant, Anadolu Efes follows in second place behind an 18-6 W-L tally, while Darussafaka sits at 17-7, Pinar Karsiyaka at 16-8, and Gaziantep at 16-8. At the bottom of the table, Afyon Belediyesi fell to 4-22.
The remaining BSL Regular Season Round 26 schedule rolls through the weekend with Anadolu Efes wrapping up the action by visiting Bahcesehir Koleji Sunday evening aiming to reduce the deficit from the leaders back down to 1.5 games.
Moving forward and resuming its disappointing EuroLeague campaign, Fener will host FC Bayern Munich and Panathinaikos OPAP, Monday and Friday, respectively. Down to 9-16 after six straight losses, it is all but knocked out of the hunt for a playoff berth.
Photo Credit: EuroLeagueBasketball.net