By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After two straight losses in Turkish Basketball League Turk Telekom got back to winning ways in style, taking down two-time European champions Anadolu Efes at Ankara 85-70.
Axel Bouteille was unstoppable with 30 points and eight rebounds for the Ankara team, shooting 7/10 from beyond the arc and finishing with a PIR of 34.
Nate Sestina followed him with 17 points, while Jerian Grant was near a double-double with 13 points and nine assists, and Tony Taylor scored 12 points.
Elijah Bryant led Efes with 20 points and eight rebounds, Vasilije Micic added 15 points with four assists, and Amath Mbaye had 12 points and six rebounds for the losing side.
Will Clyburn finished the game with just 11 points but also with eight rebounds and seven assists.
The hosts opened the match with an 8-0 run, and took control from the very beginning. Efes managed to cut the deficit to three points, but Turk Telekom pushed them back and went to the first break with a 22-17 lead.
Erdem Can’s players stayed in control in the second period. They even had a double-digit surplus on several occasions but eventually closed the first half with a 46-39 advantage.
After the big break, Efes responded vigorously and tied the score with a 14-2 run at 53-53. But that didn’t shake the hosts, who answered with seven straight points, eventually taking a 60-55 lead before the last quarter.
It was an even game in the first couple of minutes of the final period, but Turk Telekom grabbed control again and, with a 16-3 run, took an 82-64 lead, breaking down the resistance of the guests, and in the end taking a massive win over Ergin Ataman’s squad.
BSL Round 14:
Manisa – Ayos Konyaspor 79-80
Besiktas Emlakjet – Bahcesehir Koleji 67-71
Tofas – Frutti Extra Bursaspor 82-83
Fenerbahce Beko – Darussafaka 95-82
Pinar Karsiyaka – Onvo Buyukcekmece 104-102
Gaziantep – Aliaga Petkim Spor 86-55
Turk Telekom – Anadolu Efes 85-70
Galatasaray Nef – Yukatel Merkezefendi (9/1)
Standings: 1. Fenerbahce 12-2, 2. Turk Telekom 11-3, 3. Pinar Karsiyaka 10-4, 4. Bursaspor 10-4, 5. Anadolu Efes 9-5, 6. Darussafaka 7-7, 7. Bahcesehir 7-7, 8. Konyaspor 6-8…