By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
What a second half from Galatasaray Nef! Zvezdan Mitrovic’s team turned up the heat after halftime, crushed Turk Telekom Ankara in the third quarter 30-13, and eventually won 86-71 to tie the Turkish Basketball Super Lig best-of-three quarterfinal series (1-1).
Dylan Ennis led the winning side with 19 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Sadik Kabaca scored 18 points, and Daron Fats Russel added 17. Muhaymin Mustafa also finished in double figures with 10 points.
For the losing side, Jerian Grant scored 22 points, Ridvan Oncel added 10, while BSL MVP, Tyrique Jones, had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Turk Telekom had control in the first period, but Ennis’ three-pointer put Galatasaray within just one point before the first break. The guests increased the lead to seven at the opening of the second period, Galatasaray brought it back to a point, but the team from Ankara went to the locker room with a 46-39 lead.
The third quarter was decisive. Ennis and Kabaca led Galatasaray’s comeback with a 10-0 run. Turk Telekom briefly responded, but Kabaca and Fatts Russell managed to improve the surplus to double figures before the final 10 minutes. It was all over when Galatasaray grabbed a 10-point lead entering the last 10 minutes. Grant tried to get Turk Telekom back, but the hosts stayed in control and won convincingly.
The third, and decisive match of the series will be played in Ankara, with the date not yet decided.
Pinar Karsiyaka through to the semifinals
After OT win at home, Pinar Karsiyaka defeated Bursaspor on the road 76-92 and booked a place in the Turkish Basketball Super Lig semifinals, and will get Galatasaray or Turk Telekom as the rival.
Jaylon Brown with 20 points and Angel Delgado with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds led the winning side. Experienced Errick McCollum added 13, while Vitto Brown scored 12 points.
In the last game of the season, Dave Dudzinski led Dusan Alimpijevic’s squad with 20 points, and Zach Auguste had 16 with eight boards. Onuralp Bitim scored 11 points, while Derek Needham was an assist shy of a double-double with 11 points.
Turkish BSL quartefinals, Game 2 (best-of-three):
Galatasaray – Turk Telekom 86-71 /1-1/
Bursaspor – Pinar Karsiyaka 76-92 /0-2/
Tofas – Fenerbahce (31/05) /0-1/
Darussafaka – Anadolu Efes (31/05) /0-1/