By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Wrapping up a best-of-three series in Ankara Arena, Anadolu Efes defeated Turk Telekom, 86-78, to clear the Quarterfinals of the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Playoffs.
Making 10/22 from the field in a 26-point showing, a new individual best across all competitions in the 2023-24 season, Will Clyburn paved the way for the team coached by Tomislav Mijatovic. Celebrating his 34th birthday on Friday, the experienced forward had 22 points at the break. Completing his scoring tally, he stopped a 6-0 start for Turk Telekom in the fourth quarter. Grabbing ten rebounds shaped a double-double.
Rodrigue Beaubois chipped in 15 points and Daniel Oturu added 11 more points. Shane Larkin was limited to 2/9 from the field and five points but tallied nine assists and five rebounds over 35 minutes. The reigning BSL champions ruled out Elijah Bryant, Erten Gazi, Darius Thompson, Justus Hollatz, Mike Daum, Derek Willis, and Tyrique Jones for Game 2.
At shooting distance midway through the fourth quarter, the hosts nearly dug their way out of a 14-point hole in the second half. Facing the first team of his professional career, Yigitcan Saybir shared a team-high 18 points with 29-year-old Tyrone Wallace.
BSL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
A – Anadolu Efes – Turk Telekom 2-0 (99-79, 86-78)
B – Pinar Karsiyaka – Galatasaray Ekmas 1-1 (95-96, 90-87)
C – Fenerbahce Beko – Aliaga Petkimspor 1-0 (102-72)
D – Besiktas Emlakjet – Manisa 1-0 (92-74)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Anadolu Efes – Winner B
Winners C-D
Finals (best-of-five)
Winners of Semifinals
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net