Turkey – BSL Round 4: Anadolu Efes, Banvit and Besiktas stay on top

ThomasHeurtel It’s still too early stage of the Regular Season in BSL, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. There were many interesting games last round. The round ended with games ending by tiny margin and even winless team recording their first victory.The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Anadolu Efes as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Anadolu Efes defeated 4th ranked Usak Sportlif in Istanbul 86-73. Anadolu Efes looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. French guard Thomas Heurtel (189-89, agency: BeoBasket) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 assists for the winners. American forward Tyler Honeycutt (203-90, college: UCLA) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. Anadolu Efes’ coach Velimir Perasovic used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American power forward Darryl Monroe (201-86, college: George Mason, agency: BeoBasket) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds for lost side. Anadolu Efes have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Besiktas and Banvit BK. Usak Sportlif at the other side dropped to the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Usak Sportlif will play next round against Istanbul BBSK trying to get back on the winning streak. Anadolu Efes will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Tofas in Bursa. Important game to mention about took place in Balikesir. Top-ranked Banvit (4-0) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Demir IBB (2-2) 79-76 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Slovenia forward Edo Muric (202-91) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. Gediminas Orelik contributed with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Kenneth Hayes (188-87, college: Miami, OH, agency: BeoBasket) replied with 30 points for Demir IBB. Demir IBB’s coach Ozhan Civgin rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Banvit have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Anadolu Efes and Besiktas. Demir IBB at the other side dropped to the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Banvit’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Balikesir to the arena Balikesir. Istanbul BBSK can celebrate their first win this season after three consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Ankara, where they outplayed TED Kolejliler (0-4) 96-75 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of Earl Calloway who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Istanbul BBSK’s coach Ertugrul Erdogan felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Devin Thomas responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Istanbul BBSK (1-3) left bottom position moving up to twelfth place. It was TED Kolejliler’s fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Istanbul BBSK will meet at home higher ranked Usak Sportlif (#9) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. TED Kolejliler will play against Yesilgiresun Bld (#10) in Giresun and hopes to get finally their first victory.Bottom-ranked Gaziantep (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 79-72 loss to sixth ranked Galatasaray (3-1) in Gaziantep. The winners were led by Sinan Guler who scored that evening 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Galatasaray moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Darussafaka and Fenerbahce. Gaziantep at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. Galatasaray’s next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Trabzonspor (#16) at home which should be an easy win for them. Gaziantep will play against Demir IBB in Buyukcekmece and looks forward to get finally their first victory.Bottom-ranked Trabzonspor (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 83-71 loss to fifth ranked Darussafaka (3-1) in Trabzon on Sunday evening. Luke Harangody fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Darussafaka moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. Loser Trabzonspor still closes the standings with four games lost. Darussafaka will face Fenerbahce (#5) in Istanbul in the next round. Trabzonspor will play on the road against Galatasaray (#6) in Istanbul and looks forward to get finally their first victory.Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are: Pinar Karsiyaka was defeated by Fenerbahce in Istanbul 84-75. Tofas smashed Best Balikesir at home 91-72. Yesilgiresun lost to undefeated Besiktas on the opponent’s court 59-77. The best stats of 4th round was 19 points and 11 rebounds by Ronald Roberts of Tofas.Gaziantep – Galatasaray 72-79Bottom-ranked Gaziantep (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 79-72 loss to sixth ranked Galatasaray (3-1) in Gaziantep. The winners were led by international Sinan Guler (192-83, college: Carroll, MT, agency: 1×1 Sports) who scored that evening 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American-Czech swingman Blake Schilb (201-83, college: Loyola, IL) supported him with 18 points. Even 18 points and 4 assists by American point guard Will Cherry (185-91, college: Montana) did not help to save the game for Gaziantep. His fellow American import guard Marcus Denmon (191-90, college: Missouri) added 13 points and 4 assists for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Galatasaray moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Darussafaka and Fenerbahce. Gaziantep at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. Galatasaray’s next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Trabzonspor (#16) at home which should be an easy win for them. Gaziantep will play against Demir IBB in Buyukcekmece and looks forward to get finally their first victory.Top scorers:Galatasaray: …

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