CORRECTION - Besiktas, Anadolu Efes suffer defeats in EuroLeague

CORRECTS NAMES OF SOME PLAYERS

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Besiktas suffered a 73-81 home defeat to Greek side Olympiacos while Anadolu Efes lost 88-118 to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the eighth round of the EuroLeague on Wednesday.

Besiktas started strongly and took a 6-0 lead inside the opening minute, but Olympiacos responded with a 15-0 run to move 15-6 ahead.

The hosts fought back with support from the home crowd and reduced the deficit to two points at 23-25 by the end of the first quarter.

Besiktas briefly leveled the score at 25-25 early in the second quarter through a three-pointer from Scottie Wilbekin and took a 28-27 lead shortly afterward.

The lead changed hands several times before Olympiacos finished the half strongly to take a 42-36 advantage into the break.

Besiktas struggled defensively after halftime as Olympiacos extended its lead to 11 points at 50-39 in the 24th minute.

The hosts responded through Conor Morgan and cut the deficit to five points at 58-53 before Eugene Omoruyi made three free throws with one second remaining in the quarter to reduce the gap to three, making it 61-58.

Besiktas took its first lead of the final quarter when Jaylen Nowell's basket put the hosts ahead 68–66 in the 34th minute.

However, two consecutive turnovers allowed Olympiacos to regain the lead, and the visitors controlled the closing stages to secure an eight-point victory.

Besiktas were led by Jaylen Nowell with 15 points, while Morgan scored 11 and Metecan Birsen added 10.

Olympiacos had four players in double figures, led by Sasha Vezenkov with 16 points. Tyrique Jones scored 15, Donta Hall added 14, and Tyson Ward contributed 13.

The defeat was Besiktas' fifth in eight EuroLeague games this season. The Istanbul club, competing in Europe's premier club basketball competition for only the second time, will visit Italian side Virtus Bologna on Friday.

Defending champions Olympiacos secured their sixth victory of the campaign.

Anadolu Efes suffered a heavy 118-88 defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the eighth round of the EuroLeague at Arena Botevgrad in Bulgaria.

Hapoel led 27-21 after the first quarter and extended its advantage to 60-41 by halftime.

Anadolu Efes struggled to respond after the break, with Hapoel extending its lead to 90-59 at the end of the third quarter before completing a 30-point victory.

The result handed Anadolu Efes its fifth defeat of the season, while Hapoel Tel Aviv secured its sixth win.

Efe Özkan