Fenerbahçe wins the Women's Basketball Turkish Cup

In the ING Women's Basketball Turkish Cup final match, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding defeated ÇBK Mersin 79-76 in overtime to win the cup.

The final match began with a 2-point basket by Williams from ÇBK Mersin. In the first quarter, which progressed with baskets from both sides, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding found points through set plays by McBride and Howard, entering the first timeout leading 13-11. The yellow-navy team continued their strong performance against ÇBK Mersin, who struggled to score against their effective defense, and finished the first quarter ahead 19-15.

In the second quarter, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding responded to the attacks of ÇBK Mersin, who found consecutive points through Hollingsworth, with effective performances from Anderson and Meesseman, heading into the locker room with a 37-28 lead for the yellow-navy side.

Starting the third quarter well, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding maintained their game discipline and continued to be effective under the basket. Finding points from behind the three-point line with Meesseman and utilizing Anderson well under the basket, the yellow-navy team managed to maintain the lead.

Breaking the pressure of Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding with Mabrey's assists and Hollingsworth's points, ÇBK Mersin reduced the gap to 8 points (56-48) with one minute remaining, but Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding entered the final period with a 56-50 lead.

Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding, which did not start the final quarter well, was kept in the game by captain Şerife Alperi Onar, who stepped up when the team struggled to break through ÇBK Mersin's tough defense, keeping both her team and the fans energized.

In a match where the final minutes were neck-and-neck, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding could not respond to their opponent's comeback, and the final 39 seconds were entered with a 71-71 tie.

As both teams failed to capitalize on their final attacks, the match ended 71-71 and went into overtime.

In the overtime period, ÇBK Mersin responded to the play of Selin Rachel Gül and Meesseman under the basket with Cornelius. Entering the final minute leading 76-74, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding conceded a foul 17 seconds before the end of the match; after ÇBK Mersin's Hollingsworth missed one of her two free throws, a last-second three-pointer by Meesseman secured a 79-76 victory for her team. With this result, Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding took the cup to their trophy cabinet.

Venue: Şehit Turgut Solak

Referees: Fatih Arslanoğlu, Halil Erkoç, Alper Gökçebel

Fenerbahçe Alagöz Holding: McBride 15, Howard 15, Şerife Alperi Onar 14, Meesseman 8, Anderson 15, Sevgi Uzun 11, Tilbe Şenyürek 1, İdil Saçalır

ÇBK Mersin: Asena Yalçın 3, Williams 15, Sinem Ataş 3, Hollingsworth 20, Mabrey 23, Melis Gülcan 6, Cornelius 6, Derin Yaya, Kiss

1st Period: 19-15

Half-time: 37-28

3rd Period: 56-50

Final Period: 71-71

News Source: