By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes nearly completely blew a 19-point lead against Besiktas in the second half before ultimately getting a 95 – 92 away win that keeps them half a game over Fenerbahce Beko at the top of the Turkish BSL league standings with a 19-3 record. Fenerbahce is half a step behind (18-3).
Shane Larkin scored a game-high 28 points for Efes, including a pair of free throws with the score 93 – 92. Phil Pressey then missed the game-tying 3-point attempt and Besiktas lost to drop to 11-11.
Efes was up 70 – 51 with less than three minutes remaining in the third period but Besiktas made a big comeback to close the gap to one possession, 84 – 87 with 1:54 left to play and later get close to one point. Larkin though kept Efes at a distance that proved to be a game-winning one.
Joe Alexander had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists for Besiktas. Ivan Buva added 15 points and five rebounds while Kenan Sipahi scored 13.
Apart from Larkin, Brock Motum provided Efes with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Fenerbahce beat Pinar Karsiyaka on the road Monday (1/4) with the Serbian duo of Marko Guduric and Nikola Kalinic doing work. In Istanbul, Darussafaka Tekfen shut down Galatasaray (12-9) behind Micheal Eric’s 16 points and six rebounds. Dacka (10-12) has now climbed to the playoffs zone.
Turkish League Round 21 Results:
Bahcesehir – Gaziantep 86 – 93
Afyon Belediyespor – Banvit 90 – 96
Tofas Bursa – Tuyrk Telekom 85 – 82
Istanbulk Buyuksehir – Sakarya 117 – 72
Pinar Karsiyaka – Fenerbahce 81 – 88
Galatasaray – Darussafaka Tekfen 64 – 80
Besiktas – Anadolu Efes 92 – 95