BSL Round 23 (Regular Season): #1 Fenerbahce is defeated by Erokspor

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Fenerbahce (20-3) in Istanbul on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Erokspor (14-9) 94-88. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Fenerbahce. Erokspor dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Fenerbahce's 24 and made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American forward TreShawn Thurman (201-1995, college: Nevada) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points. His fellow American import guard Langston Galloway (188-1991, college: St.Joseph's) helped adding 20 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). The former international Melih Mahmutoglu (191-1990) responded with 20 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Erokspor have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Anadolu Efes. Defending champion Fenerbahce still keeps top position with three games lost. Erokspor's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Istanbul Galatasaray.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Istanbul: Bahcesehir (#3) and Efes (#6). Bahcesehir (17-6) won against visiting Efes (14-9) 85-76. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Efes. It was an exceptional evening for American power forward Trevion Williams (206-2000, college: Purdue) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Malachi Flynn accounted for 18 points and 7 assists. American-Polish Jordan Loyd (193-1993, college: Indianapolis) came up with 24 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for Anadolu Efes in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bahcesehir have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place with 17-6 record having just three points less than leader Fenerbahce. Anadolu Efes at the other side keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Erokspor. Bahcesehir will play against Trabzonspor (#4) on the road in the next round. Anadolu Efes will play against Tofas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Istanbul. Second ranked host Besiktas (19-4) defeated 4th placed Trabzonspor (16-7) 86-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Trabzonspor. The best player for the winners was Jonah Mathews who scored 24 points. Marcquise Reed produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists for the guests. Trabzonspor's coach Selcuk Ernak rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Besiktas maintains second place with 19-4 record behind leader Fenerbahce. Newly promoted Trabzonspor keeps the fourth position with seven games lost. Besiktas will meet Manisa (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trabzonspor will play against Bahcesehir (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 23: bottom-ranked Buyukcekmece lost to Galatasaray on the opponent's court 94-98. Manisa managed to outperform Karsiyaka in a home game 92-78. Bursaspor recorded a loss to Petkim on the road 91-82. Tofas was defeated by Merkezefendi on its own court 88-93. Mersin Spor was smashed by Turk Telekom in Ankara 111-71.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 18 points and 7 assists by Dogus Ozdemiroglu of Turk Telekom.



Bahcesehir - Anadolu Efes 85-76

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Istanbul: Bahcesehir (#3) and Efes (#6). Bahcesehir (17-6) won against visiting Efes (14-9) 85-76. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Efes. It was an exceptional evening for American power forward Trevion Williams (206-2000, college: Purdue) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Malachi Flynn (185-1998, college: SDSU) accounted for 18 points and 7 assists for the winning side. Four Bahcesehir players scored in double figures. American-Polish Jordan Loyd (193-1993, college: Indianapolis) came up with 24 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and the former international point guard Sehmus Hazer (192-1999) added 18 points respectively for Anadolu Efes in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bahcesehir have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place with 17-6 record having just three points less than leader Fenerbahce. Anadolu Efes at the other side keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Erokspor. Bahcesehir will play against Trabzonspor (#4) on the road in the next round. Anadolu Efes will play against Tofas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bahcesehir: C.Tyler 20+5reb, F.Malachi 18+1reb+7ast, H.Caleb 13+8reb+1ast, W.Trevion 12+13reb+2ast, H.Hunter 9+1reb+1ast, P.Mateusz 5+4reb+4ast
Anadolu Efes: J.Loyd 24+2reb+1ast, S.Hazer 18+2reb, E.Yilmaz 9+4reb+4ast, E.Osmani 7+4reb+2ast, K.Jones 6+4reb+1ast, S.Lee 4+4reb+1ast

Besiktas - Trabzonspor 86-80

The game between Top Four teams took place in Istanbul. Second ranked host Besiktas (19-4) defeated 4th placed Trabzonspor (16-7) 86-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Trabzonspor. Besiktas made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American Jonah Mathews (191-1998, college: USC) who scored 24 points. His fellow American import Anthony Brown (199-1992, college: Stanford) chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. Four Besiktas players scored in double figures. American-Georgian Marcquise Reed (190-1995, college: Clemson, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and British-Ghanian Akwasi Yeboah (198-1997, college: Rutgers) added 20 points respectively for the guests. Trabzonspor's coach Selcuk Ernak rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Besiktas maintains second place with 19-4 record behind leader Fenerbahce. Newly promoted Trabzonspor keeps the fourth position with seven games lost. Besiktas will meet Manisa (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trabzonspor will play against Bahcesehir (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Besiktas: M.Jonah 24+2reb+3ast, M.Conor 14+5reb+2ast, Z.Ante 14+4reb+1ast, B.Anthony 10+8reb+3ast, U.Berk 8+4reb+7ast, A.Yigit 8+4reb+1ast
Trabzonspor: A.Yeboah 20+4reb+2ast, M.Reed 17+6reb+10ast, A.Delgado 16+5reb+1ast, R.Hamm Jr. 8+6reb+2ast, T.Taylor 7+2reb+4ast, J.Girard III 6+1ast

Fenerbahce - Erokspor 88-94

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Fenerbahce (20-3) in Istanbul on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Erokspor (14-9) 94-88. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Fenerbahce. Erokspor dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Fenerbahce's 24 and made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American forward TreShawn Thurman (201-1995, college: Nevada) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points. His fellow American import guard Langston Galloway (188-1991, college: St.Joseph's) helped adding 20 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Five Erokspor players scored in double figures. The former international Melih Mahmutoglu (191-1990) responded with 20 points and 5 assists and Latvian point guard Arturs Zagars (190-2000) scored 19 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Erokspor have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Anadolu Efes. Defending champion Fenerbahce still keeps top position with three games lost. Erokspor's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Istanbul Galatasaray.
Top scorers:
Erokspor: T.Tre'Shawn 20+4reb, G.Langston 20+1reb, L.Jermaine 16+1reb+4ast, A.Egehan 10+5reb+1ast, S.Jeremy 10+5reb+3ast, C.Jordon 7+4ast
Fenerbahce: M.Mahmutoglu 20+3reb+5ast, A.Zagars 19+1reb+4ast, D.Hall 10+2reb+2ast, B.Colson Jr. 9+4reb, M.Birsen 9+6reb+2ast, C.Silva 6+1reb

Galatasaray - Buyukcekmece 98-94

Very expected game in Istanbul where 16th ranked Buyukcekmece (3-20) was defeated by eighth ranked Galatasaray (13-10) 98-94 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Galatasaray made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Galatasaray made 10 blocks. The best player for the winners was American James Palmer Jr (198-1996, college: Nebraska) who scored 23 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import guard Errick McCollum (188-1988, college: Goshen) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. American Jalen Lecque (194-2000, college: NC State) produced 21 points and 5 assists and Dutch point guard Keye Van Der Vuurst (191-2001) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for the guests. Five Galatasaray and four Buyukcekmece players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Galatasaray maintains eighth place with 13-10 record. Loser Buyukcekmece stay dead last with 20 lost games. Galatasaray's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Istanbul to the arena Erokspor.
Top scorers:
Galatasaray: P.James 23+4reb+5ast, M.Errick 20+3reb+4ast, W.Fabian 13+7reb+2ast, T.Ahmet 12+5reb+5ast, M.John 12+6reb, G.Freddie 5+6reb
Buyukcekmece: J.Lecque 21+4reb+5ast, K.Van Der Vuurst 13+5reb+8ast, P.Pipes 12+2reb+4ast, A.Gavrilovic 12+5reb, E.Bruinsma 7+2reb+3ast, M.Senli 6+3reb

Manisa - Karsiyaka 92-78

Rather predictable result when twelfth ranked Manisa (8-15) defeated at home 15th ranked Pinar Karsiyaka (4-19) 92-78 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Manisa made 9 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was point guard Markel Starks (188-1991, college: Georgetown) who scored 20 points and 4 assists. Guard Scoochie Smith (191-1994, college: Dayton) chipped in 16 points and 6 assists. Power forward Justin Alston (203-1994, college: Boston U.) produced 17 points and 9 rebounds and swingman Charles Manning Jr (197-1998, college: USA) added 20 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Manisa maintains twelfth place with 8-15 record. Karsiyaka lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 19 games lost. Manisa will meet at home league's second-placed Besiktas in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Karsiyaka will play against Mersin Spor (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Manisa: S.Markel 20+1reb+4ast, S.Scoochie 16+1reb+6ast, J.Jayce 14+4reb, C.Joao 10+7reb, M.Hassan 8+6reb, Y.Onan 7+5reb+1ast
Karsiyaka: C.Manning Jr. 20+3reb+4ast, J.Alston 17+9reb+3ast, Y.Cameron 14+3reb, M.Sokolowski 10+6reb, C.Bishop 9+6reb+1ast, S.Moody 6+1reb+4ast

Petkim - Bursaspor 91-82

Everything could happen in Izmir at the game between two tied teams. Both fourteenth ranked Petkimspor and 13th ranked Bursaspor had identical 6-16 record. This time Petkimspor used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Bursa 91-82 on Monday night. Petkim made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Stanley Whittaker (183-1994, college: Keiser) who scored 23 points and 5 assists. Nigerian-American guard David Efianayi (188-1995, college: Gardner-Webb, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 16 points. American point guard Mike Smith (180-1997, college: Michigan) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 assists and U.S. Virgin Islands-American forward Marcus Georges-Hunt (196-1994, college: Georgia Tech, agency: JCK Sports Group) added 14 points respectively for the guests. Four Petkim and five Bursaspor players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Petkim (7-16) moved-up to thirteenth place. Bursaspor lost their eighth game in a row. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 17 games lost. Petkim will meet higher ranked Merkezefendi (#11) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bursaspor will play against the league's leader Fenerbahce and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Petkim: W.Stanley 23+5ast, E.David 16+2reb+2ast, F.Yannick 16+3reb+1ast, B.Roberts 11+6reb+2ast, S.Yunus 8+3reb+3ast, S.Troy 6+4reb+1ast
Bursaspor: M.Georges-Hunt 14+4reb+3ast, M.Smith 13+2reb+12ast, L.Nnoko 11+7reb, V.King 11+3reb, Y.Gultekin 10+3reb+1ast, J.DeLaurier 6+3reb

Tofas - Merkezefendi 88-93

There was a small surprise in Bursa where eleventh ranked Merkezefendi (9-14) beat 9th ranked Tofas (10-13) 93-88 on Saturday. Merkezefendi looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Belgian forward Vrenz Bleijenbergh (208-2000) who scored 12 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. Slovenian center Alen Omic (216-1992) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Merkezefendi's coach Zafer Aktas used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. French Hugo Besson (191-2001) produced 24 points and 6 rebounds and Mexican-American point guard Alexander Perez-Kaufmann (191-1993) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Merkezefendi moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mersin Spor. Loser Tofas keeps the ninth position with 13 games lost. Merkezefendi will meet at home Petkim (#13) in the next round. Tofas will play against Anadolu Efes (#6) in Istanbul and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Merkezefendi: O.Alen 16+9reb+1ast, Z.Kristers 16+5ast, G.Sam 12+2ast, B.Vrenz 12+8reb+9ast, B.Roko 12+3reb, I.Omer 10+3ast
Tofas: H.Besson 24+6reb+1ast, A.Perez-Kaufmann 17+5reb+7ast, S.Kabaca 13+3reb+1ast, L.Kidd 10+4reb, F.Korkmaz 9+2reb+1ast, T.Gecim 8+4reb+10ast

Turk Telekom - Mersin Spor 111-71

There was no surprise in Ankara where 10th ranked Mersin Spor (9-14) was outplayed by fifth ranked Turk Telekom (15-8) 111-71 on Sunday. Turk Telekom made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Dogus Ozdemiroglu (191-1996) who scored 18 points and 7 assists. American Jordan Usher (201-1998, college: Georgia Tech) chipped in 19 points. Four Turk Telekom players scored in double figures. American point guard Anthony Cowan Jr (183-1997, college: Maryland, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 19 points and 6 assists and British center Gabriel Olaseni (208-1991, college: Iowa) added 8 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Turk Telekom. They maintain fifth place with 15-8 record. Loser Mersin Spor keeps the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Merkezefendi. Turk Telekom will meet bottom-ranked Buyukcekmece (#16) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Mersin Spor will play against Karsiyaka (#15) in Izmir and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Turk Telekom: U.Jordan 19+2reb+1ast, O.Dogus 18+2reb+7ast, S.Jaleen 12+3reb+1ast, D.Berkan 10+5reb+2ast, A.Kyle 9+1reb+5ast, B.Kris 8+5reb+1ast
Mersin Spor: A.Cowan Jr. 19+3reb+6ast, F.Cruz 11+2reb+3ast, G.Olaseni 8+9reb+2ast, R.March 8+3reb, S.Enoch 8+5reb, J.White 7