Dubai Basketball had impressed in EuroLeague play with wins over Real Madrid by one point and Barcelona by seven. It arrived in Istanbul undefeated and with a reputation as a troublesome opponent. It left with its first loss: 76-66 to a Fenerbahce side that maintains its place atop the standings
A Dominant First Quarter
The game became an uphill battle for Xavi Pascual's side from the start. Fenerbahce opened with Wade Baldwin hitting from beyond the arc and Braxton Key stringing together baskets, building a sixteen-point lead before closing the first quarter with a twelve-point advantage (26-14).
It was, by far, the hosts' best stretch. And it was also the one that ultimately decided the game, because what came after was a different story.
Dubai Fights Back with a 16-4 Run
The second quarter changed the tone of the contest. Dubai strung together a 16-4 run that cut the deficit to minimal and forced Fenerbahce to defend its lead with their backs against the wall. At halftime, the Turkish side led by just three points (42-39).
The third quarter remained just as tight, with a 13-12 partial and a 55-51 score at the end of the period that left the game wide open. In the fourth quarter came the most delicate moment for the leaders: Dubai tied the score at 61 and tested Fenerbahce's nerve.
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From 61-61 to 76-66
The final stretch belonged to the hosts. From the 61-61 tie, Fenerbahce put together a 15-5 run that sealed the game with Braxton Key and Shavon Shields scoring the baskets that mattered. Ten minutes earlier, Dubai had the game in hand; in the final stretch they ran out of answers.
Marcus Bingham Jr. was the most decisive player of the night with 20 points and eight rebounds, a performance that confirms his strong form after being a question mark heading into the previous matchday. Baldwin chipped in with 14 points and five assists, and Key added 12 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Okobo Kept Dubai Afloat
On the visiting side, Elie Okobo was the most reliable with 18 points and four assists. Dwayne Bacon and McKinley Wright IV each added 12 and Mamadi Diakite contributed 10. Distributed numbers but insufficient: 66 points are too few for a team that had just scored 94 against Barcelona.
Dubai falls to 2-1 in a start that, despite the loss, maintains the message from its debut: it competes with anyone. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, remains spotless in the standings.