Fenerbahçe Beko defeated host Anadolu Efes 73-72 in the second match of the Turkish Insurance Basketball Super League play-off semi-final series.
With this result, the yellow-dark blue team made the score 2-0 in the series.
The third match of the series, in which the team that will achieve three wins will advance to the final, will be played on Friday, June 5, at Turkcell Basketball Development Center, hosted by Anadolu Efes.
Anadolu Efes finished the first quarter ahead 18-16, with the score superiority frequently changing hands.
In the second period, Fenerbahçe Beko could not find its rhythm in attack. Anadolu Efes, which increased the difference to 18 points (29-47) in the last episode against its opponent who lost the ball in a row, entered the locker room with a 15-point advantage (32-47).
Starting the second half with Horton-Tucker’s effective performance, the yellow-dark blue team reduced the difference to 3 points in the 28th minute: 52-55. While the last part of this quarter passed with both teams scoring points, the guest team maintained their scoring advantage and went into the final period with a 58-56 advantage.
While the teams started the last quarter with a low shooting percentage, no baskets were scored in the first 2 minutes. The sides were unable to hit consecutive open shots on offense until the middle of the period. In the head-to-head match, Fenerbahçe Beko increased its tempo with its short players and took the lead with Melli’s dunk under the basket with 3 minutes and 22 seconds left: 68-66. While the match witnessed a great competition in the remaining time, the yellow-dark blue team prevailed 73-72 in the last 1 minute and 9 seconds. Even though the home team lost the ball one after another in the last moments, Anadolu Efes could not score and Fenerbahçe won the match 73-72.
The yellow-dark blue team was able to win by coming back from an 18-point deficit in the first two games of the series.
Tarık Biberovic’s 20 points and Talen Horton-Tucker’s 19 points came to the fore in Fenerbahçe Beko’s victory.
For Anadolu Efes, Jordan Loyd’s 19 points and Şehmus Hazer and PJ Dozier’s 12 points each were not enough to win.
Hall: Ülker Sports and Events
Referees: Hüseyin Çelik, Fatih Arslanoğlu, Murat Ciner
Fenerbahçe Beko: Hall 8, Horton-Tucker 19, Tarık Biberovic 20, Melli 2, Birch 3, Metecan Birsen 2, Baldwin 14, Onuralp Bitim 1, Jantunen 1, Zagars 3
Anadolu Efes: Weiler-Babb 3, Larkin 7, Dozier 12, Ercan Osmani 2, Dessert 5, Beaubois 4, Şehmus Hazer 12, Loyd 19, Smits 5, Erkan Yılmaz 3, Jones
1st Period: 16-18
Half time: 32-47
3rd Period: 56-58
With five fouls: 38.42 Ercan Osmani (Anadolu Efes)