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It was a low-scoring affair, but after a mediocre start in the season, Fenerbahce needed wins and got just that.
Playing in Munich, and not in Istanbul, but still in front of their fans who filled the arena, the defending champions prevailed 74-68 over Hapoel Tel Aviv, which dropped to 8-3.
Fenerbahce improved to a positive record after their third straight win (6-5) with Talen Horton-Tucker scoring 15 points. At the same time, Devon Hall added 14, and the duo of Tarik Biberovic and Bonzie Colson added 10 points each.
Elijah Bryant, with 19 points, did his best; however, it was Vasilije Micic, with 11 points and a three, who trimmed the lead to four (70-66) with two minutes left, but Hapoel still couldn’t get any closer.
After an ugly first half, which ended with Hapoel leading 28-27, Fenerbahce opened the third period with 11 unanswered points (38-28), building a solid lead for the first time.
A three by Onuralp Bitim extended the distance to 11 points (41-30), only for Hapoel to reply with a 9-0 run (41-39).
Still, Fenerbahce entered the last period up by 10 (54-44), and the guests couldn’t get into striking distance again.