By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
It was much tougher than the final score might suggest, but Anadolu Efes achieved their goal of beating Tofaş Bursa on Matchday 24 of the BSL.
Pablo Laso’s side claimed a 92–82 win after delivering a strong fourth quarter that allowed them to seal the victory with relative comfort.
Jordan Loyd, with 19 points, was the standout performer for the home team. The game’s top scorer was visiting player Marek Blaževič, but his 21 points were not enough.
After a first half dominated by Anadolu Efes (51–43), the game became much more evenly contested in the second half.
By the end of the third quarter, the visitors had turned the game around and entered the final period with a 67–70 lead.
However, in the last ten minutes, the home side showed their scoring potential, going on a 25–12 run that allowed them to close the week with a win after their EuroLeague losses in Barcelona and Madrid.
Things went much worse for Fenerbahçe, who still can’t seem to find their best form at a completely decisive stage of the season.
After losses to Maccabi Tel Aviv and Žalgiris Kaunas in the EuroLeague, Jasikevičius’ team fell to Bursaspor 89–83.
The game, decided in overtime, had Michael Smith as the standout performer. The home star finished with 27 points, offsetting the 25 from Wade Baldwin and the 21 from Artūrs Žagars.
Despite holding a 73–64 lead with just a few minutes remaining, Bursaspor couldn’t contain the Turkish league leaders, who tied the game with a three-pointer (75–75) from Wade Baldwin.
However, in the five extra minutes, the home side’s dominance was undeniable, and the reigning EuroLeague and Turkish league champions end the round with three defeats.
BSL Round 24
Merkezefendi – Petkim Spor 92-80
Esenler Erokspor – Galatasaray 85-86
Buyukcekmece – Turk Telekom 87-90
Manisa – Beşiktaş 70-102
Trabzonspor – Bahcesehir Kol. 71-81
Anadolu Efes – Tofas 82-72
Karsiyaka – Mersin 92-87
Bursaspor – Fenerbahce 89-83
STANDINGS: Fenerbahce 20-4, Besiktas 20-4, Bahcesehir Kol. 18-6…