Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (7-1) met up with the outsiders of the Turkish Basketball Super League, Merkezefendi (2-6), who put up a great fight, but Fenerbahce came out on top 85-77 (18-21, 24-23, 21-13, 22-20).
Merkezefendi jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead against the hosts, holding an advantage for the entire period. Fenerbahce gained their first advantage in the second (24-23), but Merkezefendi went on a 7-0 run, getting up by two at halftime (44-42).
But Fenerbahce started the third quarter on a 15-3 run to gain their first double-digit lead (57-47). Merkezefendi stayed in the game, though, and fought admirably until the very end.
They cut the deficit to six multiple times in the fourth period, but it wasn't enough as Fenerbahce held on to an eight-point victory.
The MVP of last season's Turkish league, Marial Shayok, finished the game with 18 points (6/10 2PT, 2/3 3PT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, and 20 PIR.
Fenerbahce played without Nando de Colo and Jan Vesely tonight.
Fenerbahce: Marial Shayok 18 (6 REB), Ismet Akpinar 15, Melih Mahmutoglu 12, Devin Booker 9 (9 REB, 6 AST), Dyshawn Pierre 7 (5 REB), Achille Polonara 7 (6 AST).
Merkezefendi: Rihards Lomazs 21 (6 AST), Adam Terrell Smith 15, Hakan Yapar 15, Nathan Sestina 12.
