BSL Round 29 (Regular Season): #1 Fenerbahce is defeated by Besiktas

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in BSL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Fenerbahce (26-3) in Istanbul on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Besiktas (23-5) 72-62. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Kyle Allman (190-1997, college: CS Fullerton) stepped up and scored 21 points and 4 assists for the winners and Jonah Mathews (191-1998, college: USC) chipped in 20 points. Forward Nigel Hayes-Davis (203-1994, college: Wisconsin) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Besiktas have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. They maintain second place with 23-5 record having four points less than leader Fenerbahce. Defending champion Fenerbahce still keeps top position with three games lost. Besiktas are looking forward to face Turk Telekom (#10) in Ankara in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Fenerbahce's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Istanbul Galatasaray.
Important game to mention about took place in Istanbul. Seventh ranked Mersin BBGSK (15-14) saved a 1-point derby victory on the road edging 4th placed Bahcesehir (17-12) 60-59 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Bahcesehir. Nigerian-American David Efianayi (188-1995, college: Gardner-Webb) nailed 15 points for the winning side and Francisco Cruz accounted for 11 points and 4 assists. American-Croatian point guard Jaleen Smith (190-1994, college: UNH) came up with 15 points for Bahcesehir in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mersin BBGSK moved-up to sixth place. Bahcesehir at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 12 games lost. Mersin BBGSK will play against Darussafaka (#15) in Istanbul in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Bahcesehir will play at home against Merkezefendi (#13) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Twelfth-ranked Merkezefendi (11-18) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Tofas (18-11) in Denizl on Sunday. The visitors from Bursa managed to secure only two-point victory 94-92. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Merkezefendi. The best player for the winners was Marcquise Reed who scored 28 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Hans Vanwijn produced 15 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the hosts. Merkezefendi's coach Zafer Aktas rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tofas maintains fourth place with 18-11 record. Loser Merkezefendi dropped to the thirteenth position with 18 games lost. Tofas will meet at home Pinar Karsiyaka (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Merkezefendi will play against Bahcesehir in Istanbul and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 29: Darussafaka lost to Bursaspor on the opponent's court 82-98. Buyukcekmece was outscored by Manisa in a home game 84-107. Turk Telekom recorded a loss to Pinar Karsiyaka on the road 76-73. Petkim defeated Yalovaspor on its own court 87-78.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 30 points and 5 assists by Wesley Van Beck of Petkim.



Bahcesehir - Mersin BBGSK 59-60

Important game to mention about took place in Istanbul. Seventh ranked Mersin BBGSK (15-14) saved a 1-point derby victory on the road edging 4th placed Bahcesehir (17-12) 60-59 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Bahcesehir. Nigerian-American David Efianayi (188-1995, college: Gardner-Webb) nailed 15 points for the winning side and Mexican guard Francisco Cruz (192-1989, college: Wyoming) accounted for 11 points and 4 assists. American-Croatian point guard Jaleen Smith (190-1994, college: UNH) came up with 15 points and Montenegrin power forward Marko Simonovic (210-1999) added 8 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Bahcesehir in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Mersin BBGSK moved-up to sixth place. Bahcesehir at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 12 games lost. Mersin BBGSK will play against Darussafaka (#15) in Istanbul in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Bahcesehir will play at home against Merkezefendi (#13) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Mersin BBGSK: D.Efianayi 15+2reb+3ast, J.Cobbs 12+4reb, F.Cruz 11+2reb+4ast, B.Manek 5+8reb+1ast, K.Ozmizrak 5+2reb+3ast, W.Magnay 5+3reb+1ast
Bahcesehir: J.Smith 15+3reb, F.Korkmaz 9+2reb+1ast, S.Hazer 9+3reb+1ast, M.Simonovic 8+8reb, T.Cavanaugh 5+5reb+1ast, M.Ponitka 5+5reb+1ast

Besiktas - Fenerbahce 72-62

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Fenerbahce (26-3) in Istanbul on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Besiktas (23-5) 72-62. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Kyle Allman (190-1997, college: CS Fullerton) stepped up and scored 21 points and 4 assists for the winners and Jonah Mathews (191-1998, college: USC) chipped in 20 points. Forward Nigel Hayes-Davis (203-1994, college: Wisconsin) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds and guard Errick McCollum (188-1988, college: Goshen) scored 8 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Besiktas have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. They maintain second place with 23-5 record having four points less than leader Fenerbahce. Defending champion Fenerbahce still keeps top position with three games lost. Besiktas are looking forward to face Turk Telekom (#10) in Ankara in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Fenerbahce's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Istanbul Galatasaray.
Top scorers:
Besiktas: K.Allman 21+3reb+4ast, J.Mathews 20+4reb+1ast, E.Terry 10+11reb+3ast, Y.Arslan 6+2reb, D.Needham 5+3reb, D.Sleva 4+4reb+1ast
Fenerbahce: N.Hayes-Davis 20+6reb, M.Mahmutoglu 9+1reb, E.McCollum 8+8reb+3ast, B.Colson Jr. 7+4reb, K.Birch 6+5reb+2ast, T.Biberovic 4

Bursaspor - Darussafaka 98-82

Very expected game when 15th ranked Darussafaka Lassa (9-20) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked Bursaspor (12-17) 98-82 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by Bursaspor. Darussafaka managed to win third quarter 27-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Bursaspor shot 30 for 40 from the free-throw line, while Darussafaka Lassa only scored fourteen points from the stripe. Bursaspor looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was international swingman David Mutaf (197-2002, college: Minnesota) who scored 23 points. French point guard David Michineau (191-1994) chipped in 18 points and 6 assists. American swingman Omari Moore (198-2000, college: SJSU) produced 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Tres Tinkle (203-1996, college: Oregon St., agency: Pensack Sports) added 13 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Darussafaka Lassa's coach rotated twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Bursaspor moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Turk Telekom and Petkim. Darussafaka lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 20 games lost. Bursaspor will meet Petkim (#9) in the next round. Darussafaka will play against Mersin BBGSK (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bursaspor: D.Mutaf 23+2reb+3ast, D.Michineau 18+3reb+6ast, D.Grantham 15+6reb, J.Brown 12+2reb+3ast, A.Gavrilovic 9+7reb+2ast, D.DeJulius 8+1reb+5ast
Darussafaka: O.Moore 15+5reb+7ast, L.Brajkovic 13+2reb, T.Tinkle 13+10reb+3ast, N.Sibande 10+5reb+1ast, T.Appleby 8+1reb+3ast, E.Demir 7+5reb

Buyukcekmece - Manisa 84-107

There was a surprise result in Istanbul where fifteenth ranked Manisa (10-19) smashed higher ranked Buyukcekmece (13-16) 107-84 on Saturday. Manisa dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Buyukcekmece's 36. Manisa looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was South Sudanese-Australian center Lual Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) who scored 35 points (!!!) (on 15-of-19 shooting from the field). American guard Brodric Thomas (196-1997, college: Truman St.) chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Markel Starks (188-1991, college: Georgetown) produced 17 points and 5 assists and the other American import Evan Bruinsma (204-1992, college: Detroit, agency: Octagon Europe) added 10 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Manisa moved-up to fourteenth place. Loser Buyukcekmece keeps the eighth position with 16 games lost. Manisa will meet at home bottom-ranked Yalovaspor (#16) in the next round. Buyukcekmece's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Istanbul to the arena Anadolu Efes.
Top scorers:
Manisa: L.Acuil 35+4reb+2ast, F.White Jr. 18+8reb+1ast, B.Thomas 18+7reb+4ast, H.Besson 13+3reb+2ast, B.Cal 6+3reb+3ast, C.Chiozza 6+4reb+6ast
Buyukcekmece: M.Starks 17+3reb+5ast, Y.Franke 14+3reb, J.Love 12+3reb+3ast, E.Bruinsma 10+9reb+3ast, R.Zagorac 9+3reb+1ast, E.Kosut 8+6reb+3ast

Merkezefendi - Tofas 92-94

Twelfth-ranked Merkezefendi (11-18) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Tofas (18-11) in Denizl on Sunday. The visitors from Bursa managed to secure only two-point victory 94-92. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Merkezefendi. Tofas made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Tofas especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American Marcquise Reed (190-1995, college: Clemson, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 28 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Mexican-American point guard Alexander Perez-Kaufmann (191-1993) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Belgian Hans Vanwijn (207-1995) produced 15 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international Egehan Arna (202-1997) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists respectively for the hosts. Five Merkezefendi players scored in double figures. Merkezefendi's coach Zafer Aktas rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tofas maintains fourth place with 18-11 record. Loser Merkezefendi dropped to the thirteenth position with 18 games lost. Tofas will meet at home Pinar Karsiyaka (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Merkezefendi will play against Bahcesehir in Istanbul and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tofas: M.Reed 28+5reb+8ast, U.Trifunovic 23+3reb+3ast, A.Perez-Kaufmann 17+6reb+6ast, K.Bankston 8+3reb, A.Pasecniks 8+3reb, B.Demir 6+2reb+1ast
Merkezefendi: B.McLemore 23+2reb+3ast, J.Nnaji 20+2reb+1ast, H.Vanwijn 15+9reb+7ast, E.Arna 12+7reb+9ast, V.Bleijenbergh 11+7reb+7ast, A.Tuluoglu 3

Pinar Karsiyaka - Turk Telekom 76-73

There was an upset in Izmir where higher ranked Turk Telekom (12-17) was edged by thirteenth ranked Pinar Karsiyaka (11-17) 76-73 on Sunday. Pinar Karsiyaka made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was international center Muhsin Yasar (210-1995) who scored 16 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Finnish point guard Edon Maxhuni (188-1998, college: LBSU, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 21 points. Four Pinar Karsiyaka players scored in double figures. American point guard Kenneth Smith (191-1993, college: La Tech) produced 17 points and 5 assists and Colombian swingman Braian Angola-Rodas (198-1994, college: FSU) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively for the guests. Turk Telekom's coach Erdem Can tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Pinar Karsiyaka moved-up to twelfth place. Turk Telekom lost their third game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Bursaspor and Petkim. Pinar Karsiyaka will meet higher ranked Tofas (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Turk Telekom will play against the league's second-placed Besiktas (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Pinar Karsiyaka: E.Maxhuni 21+3reb+2ast, M.Yasar 16+9reb+2ast, E.Tirpanci 11+6reb+1ast, M.Smith 10+3reb+2ast, S.Braimoh 6+2reb+1ast, M.Celep 5+10reb+2ast
Turk Telekom: K.Smith 17+4reb+5ast, B.Angola-Rodas 14+4reb+6ast, A.Brown 12+6reb+1ast, B.Durmaz 7+2reb+1ast, K.Alexander 6+5reb+1ast, J.Bess 5+4reb+1ast

Petkim - Yalovaspor 87-78

Everything went according to plan in Izmir where twelfth ranked Petkimspor (12-17) beat bottom-ranked Yalovaspor (7-22) 87-78 on Sunday. Strangely Yalovaspor outrebounded Petkim 40-26 including a 16-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American Wesley Van Beck (193-1996, college: Houston) who scored 30 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import swingman Damyean Dotson (196-1994, college: Houston) chipped in 14 points and 6 assists. Slovenian Martin Krampelj (206-1995, college: Creighton) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and forward Yigit Onan (207-2002) added 12 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Yalovaspor players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Petkimspor. They moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Turk Telekom and Bursaspor. Newly promoted Yalovaspor stay at the bottom position with 22 games lost. Petkim will meet at home Bursaspor (#11) in the next round. Yalovaspor will play against Manisa (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Petkim: W.Van Beck 30+2reb+5ast, D.Dotson 14+4reb+6ast, B.Tyree 10+2reb+4ast, B.Williams 9+4reb, J.Echenique 9, P.Aldridge 8+6reb+1ast
Yalovaspor: M.Krampelj 18+10reb, B.Griffin 16+4reb+1ast, Y.Onan 12+11reb+1ast, G.Sherfield 10+2reb+5ast, K.Bayram 9+3ast, M.Peterka 9+5reb+1ast