Anadolu Efes Istanbul secured its first win in the Turkish League semifinal, defeating Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 102-93 in Game 3 of the series. Shane Larkin and Jordan Loyd led Efes's comeback, cutting the series to 2-1 and keeping the battle alive between two EuroLeague giants.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul refused to be backed into a corner and responded with a crucial victory against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Head coach Luca Banchi's team won 102-93 in Game 3 of the Turkish League semifinal and reduced their rival's series lead, with Fenerbahce now holding a 2-1 advantage.
After squandering 18-point leads in the first two games of the series, Efes managed to hold on this time. It wasn't a clean or easy victory, but a gutsy win built around the offensive talent of Shane Larkin and Jordan Loyd in the most crucial moments.
The game started with Fenerbahce's dominance, scoring the first nine points and striking early. However, Efes responded before the end of the first quarter and managed to even out a matchup that remained tight throughout the first half. Neither team led by more than five points before halftime.
Fenerbahce went into the locker room with a slim 49-50 advantage, powered by an extraordinary Tarik Biberovic from three-point range. The wing went 4 of 4 from three in the first half and reached 15 points. For Efes, the answer came from their two key perimeter scorers: Larkin added 17 points before the break and Loyd contributed 15, combining for a spectacular 10 of 13 from the field.
The third quarter changed the tone of the game. Efes came out with more determination after halftime and found Larkin as the engine of their surge. The point guard sparked an 11-0 run that made it 66-58 and gave the home team its first clear stretch of control. Shortly after, a three-pointer by PJ Dozier extended the lead to 71-60.
The game, however, never fully broke open. The pace was affected by constant trips to the free-throw line, with both teams combining for 72 free-throw attempts in the first 35 minutes. In total, the game ended with 84 free throws, reflecting a physical, grinding battle filled with contact.
Fenerbahce found life down the stretch. Loyd and Biberovic exchanged a three-pointer and a dunk each to make it 88-83. Sehmus Hazer added a three-point play and Devon Hall responded with a three-pointer that tightened the score to 93-89 with 2:31 remaining.
But Efes didn't collapse again. Dozier made a tough shot off an offensive rebound on the next possession and Loyd sealed it with a difficult three-pointer with 1:04 left. This time, Anadolu Efes knew how to close out the game.
Shane Larkin was the leading scorer for the winning team with 31 points, while Jordan Loyd added 23. PJ Dozier also proved decisive with 15 points. For Fenerbahce, Biberovic delivered an outstanding performance with 29 points and 7 three-pointers on 8 attempts. Wade Baldwin contributed 24 points and Talen Horton-Tucker finished with 14, but their numbers weren't enough to prevent Fenerbahce's first loss of the series.
The Turkish semifinal is now wide open. Fenerbahce still leads, but Efes has regained competitive momentum and will have another chance this Sunday to level a series marked by tension, outside shooting prowess, and intense competition between two rivals accustomed to playing on Europe's biggest stages.