ANKARA
Pinar Karsiyaka edged out Istanbul heavyweights Fenerbahce Ulker 84-83 in the third game of the Turkish Basketball League playoff semi-finals on Thursday evening, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
Pinar Karsiyaka shooting guard Jon Diebler was his team's top scorer with 19 points, followed by U.S. power forward Kenny Gabriel having 16 points. Pinar Karsiyaka playmaker guard Bobby Dixon completed the game with 12 points. U.S. guard D.J. Strawberry and Colombian forward Juan Palacios scored 10 points each.
In Fenerbahce Ulker Serbian guard Bogdan Bogdanovic shone by scoring a game-high 20 points. Turkish shooting guard Melih Mahmutoglu completed the game with 14 points. Czech power forward Jan Vesely had 11, and U.S. point guard Andrew Goudelock scored 10 points.
With Thursday’s win, Pinar Karsiyaka, from western Izmir province, takes the advantage in the best-of-five series, threatening to knock Fenerbahce out. The fourth game will be played in Izmir on Saturday.
Anadolu Efes are waiting for the winner of the series, having sealed their place in the finals after a 3-0 sweep against Trabzonspor Medical Park.
