Fenerbahce Ulker dominates champs

After struggling early in Game 1, Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul came out with a vengeance, took a big early lead and never looked back en route to an 82-67 victory over Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. Andrew Goudelock led the way with 17 first-half points as Fenerbahce took a 2-0 series lead and moved within 1 win of its first appearance at the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four. Maccabi hosts Game 3 – and if necessary, Game 4 – next week in Israel. Fenerbahce started 9-2 and extended the difference to 27-11 before the end of the opening quarter. Fenerbahce led 50-34 at halftime and pushed the advantage into the 20s in the third quarter. Maccabi rallied to get within 12 in the fourth quarter, but Fenerbahce responded before there was any real danger. Goudelock finished with 19 points, Semih Erden tallied 12 on perfect shooting, Bojan Bogdanovic added 11 and Nemanja Bjelica came within 1 rebound of the Euroleague’s playoff record with 9 points and 15 boards. Fenerbahce outrebounded Maccabi 43-29. Jeremy Pargo led the visitors with 16 points, Brian Randle added 13 points and 5 steals, Nate Linhart scored 12 and Sylven Landesberg11 in defeat.

First quarter: Erden, Goudelock propel Fenerbahce to big start

Coach Obradovic provided a surprise in his starting lineup with Kenan Sipahi starting and guarding Pargo. Maccabi won the opening tip and Randle scored first, but the momentum was soon with the hosts. Bogdan Bogdanovic started things with a three-pointer before Erden made an impact with a layup from Bjelica and a put-back. After Goudelock torched the Maccabi defense for a layup that made it 9-2, Maccabi coach Goodes called timeout. Landesberg ended the three-minute Maccabi drought, but Erden dunked on two Maccabi players at the other end. Goudelock added a layup-plus-foul. Randle kept the Maccabi fight alive with a three-point play, however Sipahi got on the scoreboard with a three-pointer. When Bjelica split free throws, the hosts already had a double-digit lead. Pargo drove for a tough layup only to see Goudelock match him. Landesberg scored again, but Bjelica drained a high-arching shot and the foul shot that came with it. Nikos Zisis made it 27-11 with a three from the corner. Pargo fought through the Fenerbahce defense for an impressive layup-plus-foul, but Zisis knocked down a second three for a 30-14 lead.

Second quarter: Goudelock continues to dominate as hosts extend advantage

Devin Smith penetrated for a tough layup on the last second of the shot clock. Randle scored next to make it 31-18. Jan Vesely scored his first basket for the hosts. Alex Tyus battled for an offensive rebound, score and foul. Pargo narrowed the deficit to 10 with his first three-pointer. After a timeout, Erden came back and picked up where he left off with a one-handed slam. Goudelock added a jumper and Vesely finished a fast break with a high-flying slam for a 39-23 lead. After a Maccabi timeout, Linhart came in and buried a three, but Goudelock continued to push the hosts with 2 more free throws. A Goudelock triple put Fenerbahce up 18, but Smith matched him. Goudelock continued his scoring clinic with a fadeaway jumper in the paint. Tyus got to the line, where he made 2 free throws, but a Preldzic triple took the difference to 19. Linhart’s second three made it 50-34 at the break.

Third quarter: After trailing by 22, Maccabi shows late signs of life

Bogdanovic connected from downtown to start the second half. Erden produced another highlight with an offensive rebound, slam and foul drawn as the difference reached the 20s for the first time. Smith found his way to the basket for a layup and Pargo impressed with another tough bucket, but an Erden slam showed that the hosts were still in control. Pargo countered with a basket-plus-foul only to see Bjelica connect from downtown to make it 60-41 midway through the quarter. Preldzic connected on another Fenerbahce triple. Yogev Ohayon drove for a basket and Landesberg drained a triple. Joe Alexander rejected Vesely underneath, but Luka Zoric made up for it with a layup. Alexander and Zoric traded free throws. Pargo ran the pick-and-roll with Randle, which produced an alley-oop slam for the latter. Vesely stole a pass from Randle in the backcourt and dunked it, but Pargo finished the quarter with a triple at the buzzer to draw within 68-53.

Fourth quarter: Champs get within 12 before Fenerbahce responds to seal win

Randle shined with a steal and then a pass from the floor to Linhart for a slam to trim the deficit to 13. Alexander fouled out for Maccabi and Pargo was called for a technical foul after arguing a call. Melih Mahmutoglu capitalized with a three-pointer. Randle added a baseline jumper and later a tip-in to bring the visitors within 71-59 with five minutes to go. Bogdanovic and Bjelica scored the next two baskets to reestablish a 16-point difference. Goudelock and Landesberg traded shots, but time was running out on the champs. Landesberg’s basket-plus-foul with less than two minutes remaining only made it 77-63 and the hosts rolled to another victory and a 2-0 series lead.