By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The fight for the top seed in the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL) is intensifying as Besiktas secures a victory in the Istanbul derby against Anadolu Efes.
In front of a packed arena, Dusan Alimpijevic’s squad defeated the defending champions 85-77, improving to 9-3 in the standings, while Erdem Can’s team and BSL leaders suffered their second defeat (10-2), and the first one after six straight victories.
In Besiktas’ first win over city rivals after nine straight defeats in head-to-head clashes, Derek Needham stood out with 19 points, while Matt Mitchell added 15. Yigit Arslan scored 12 points, and Angel Delgado finished the match with a double-double, contributing 11 points and 10 rebounds. Recently signed Kyle Allman, as well as Jonah Mathews also scored 11 points each.
Despite Daniel Oturu’s great performance with 25 points and eight rebounds, it didn’t prove sufficient for the injury-plagued Anadolu Efes. Shane Larkin was one assist shy of a double-double with 18 points, and Darius Thompson added 15 points.
Besiktas previously also defeated Fenerbahce, and the current standings are as follows: Anadolu Efes 10-2, Pinar Karsiyaka 9-3, Besiktas 9-3, Fenerbahce 8-3… It’s shaping up to be an interesting battle.