Fenerbahçe beats Efes by a large margin, leads series 2-0

In the second game of the Türkiye Sigorta Basketball Super League Play-Off Final Series, A. Efes faced Fenerbahçe Beko at the Sinan Erdem Sports Hall.

The host team, Efes, started the match with a starting five of Larkin, Clyburn, Doğuş Özdemiroğlu, Ercan Osmani, and Jones. Fenerbahçe Beko took the court with Wilbekin, Calathes, Pierre, Hayes-Davis, and Papagiannis.

Fenerbahçe began the match with an 8-0 run, with points scored by Papagiannis, Calathes, and Hayes-Davis. Fenerbahçe responded to the three-pointers from Larkin and Doğuş Özdemiroğlu of Efes with three-pointers from Wilbekin and Calathes. 

The yellow-navy team, particularly effective on the perimeter with Wilbekin, extended the lead to 16 points (8-24). Finding points in the paint through Oturu and Rıdvan Öncel, Efes brought the score to 27-15 with 1 minute and 46 seconds remaining in the quarter, and the period ended with a 31-16 lead for Fenerbahçe. Fenerbahçe also started the second quarter with a 4-0 run. 

Efes did not allow the gap to widen further, with points from Bryant at the free-throw line and Oturu in the paint. With 5 minutes and 59 seconds left in the period, the yellow-navy team increased the lead to 19 points with a three-pointer from Wilbekin (22-41). Following this three-pointer, Efes called a timeout. After the timeout, the score reached 47-27 with mutual three-pointers from Erkan Yılmaz and Wilbekin. Although Efes tried to reduce the deficit with points found in the remaining minutes, Fenerbahçe managed to enter the locker room with a 53-38 lead, thanks to their superior performance in both defense and offense.

The first 3 minutes of the third period, which began with mutual scoring, passed with a 58-44 lead for the yellow-navy team. With Efes committing consecutive turnovers on offense, Fenerbahçe extended the lead back to 20 points with 4 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in the quarter (44-64). Extending the lead further with points from Wilbekin and Pierre, the yellow-navy team closed the quarter with a 27-point lead at 78-51. At the beginning of the third period, Fenerbahçe increased the lead to 30 points with a three-pointer from Sertaç Şanlı (51-81). Although Efes tried to close the gap with points from Oturu and Bryant, Fenerbahçe capitalized on their opportunities well and entered the final section with a 15-point lead. Maintaining control of the game in the remaining time, the yellow-navy team left the court with a 101-70 victory. With this result, Fenerbahçe took a 2-0 lead in the Basketball Super League Play-Off Final Series.

Scottie Wilbekin, who played with 24 points including 7 three-pointers, was the top scorer of the match for Fenerbahçe, while Pierre and Calathes also contributed with 13 points each. For A. Efes, Oturu's 21-point performance could not prevent the defeat.

The third game of the final series will be played on Monday, June 10, at the Ülker Sports and Event Hall. If Fenerbahçe wins this match as well, they will be the champions of the 2023-2024 season in the Basketball Super League.

Referees: Emin Moğulkoç, Alper Altuğ Köselerli, Semih Vural

A. Efes: Larkin 5, Bryant 11, Salih Altuntaş, Melih Tunca 2, Rıdvan Öncel 8, Clyburn 7, Doğuş Özdemiroğlu 9, Burak Can Yıldızlı 2, Ercan Osmani, Oturu 21, Erkan Yılmaz 3, Jones 2

Head Coach: Tomislav Mijatovac

Fenerbahçe Beko: Metecan Birsen 2, Şehmus Hazer 9, Wilbekin 24, Sertaç Şanlı 5, Ömer Ege Ziyaettin 3, Papagiannis 8, Melih Mahmutoğlu 4, Hayes-Davis 9, Tarık Biberoviç 9, Emre Ekşioğlu 2, Pierre 13, Calathes 13

Head Coach: Sarunas Jasikevicius

1st Quarter: 31-16 (In favor of Fenerbahçe)

Half-time: 53-38 (In favor of Fenerbahçe)

3rd Quarter: 78-51 (In favor of Fenerbahçe)