Goudelock, Bogdanovic lead Fenerbahce to win at Nizhny

Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul claimed its fourth straight Euroleague road win by beating Nizhny Novgorod 60-78 on Friday night. Led by Andrew Goudelock and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who alone combined for than half the Turkish champs’ points, and terrific defense down the stretch, Coach Zeljko Obradovic’s team claimed their first win of the Top 16 and snapped Nizhny’s three game winning streak. Goudelock poured in 23 points and Bogdanovic 17, while Nemanja Bjelica amassed 7 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The big difference in the game was Nizhny’s 15 turnovers compared to just 4 by the visitors. Tarence Kinsey led Nizhny with 16 points, Semen Antonov scored 11 and Taylor Rochestie had 10 in defeat.

First quarter: Little separates the two sides early

Antonov got a lucky roll on a three-pointer as he scored all the points in a 5-0 start for the hosts. More than two minutes passed before Oguz Savas’s jumper netted the visitors their first points. Bogdanovic soon tied the game from downtown. Kinsey drove to the hoop for a pretty basket before Jan Vesely responded with a slam. Savas’s second-chance basket gave Fenerbahce its first lead, 7-9. Nizhny responded through Antonov and Trey Thompkins, whose jumper made it 11-9. Bogdanovic’s second triple restored a slim Fenerbahce edge. After a TV timeout, Kinsey drilled a three to make it 14-13. After Vesely’s put-back, Rochestie drilled a long jumper. After a lengthy break for a video review, Vesely split free throws to tie the score. Luka Zoric came in and scored, but Evgeny Baburin connected from deep. An Emir Preldzic shot left the visitors up 19-20 after 10 minutes.

Second quarter: Bjelica highlights help Fenerbahce to slim lead

Bogdanovic’s mid-range jumper extended the Fenerbahce lead. Dimitriy Khvostov delivered a great pass to Art Parakhouski for a basket inside, but Bjelica put his stamp on the game, first with a steal and behind-the-back pass to Bogdanovic for a layup before hitting his own shot. Bjelica’s put back made it 21-28. After a timeout, Parakhouski went hard to the basket for a score. Kenan Sipahi’s drive was matched by Kinsey with a pretty spin move and basket. Parakhouski rejected Goudelock, but the Fenerbahce guard had the last laugh when he beat the 24-second clock with a triple to make it 25-33 midway through the quarter. Rochestie connected on his first three and a minute later hit his second to bring the hosts within 4. Ivan Savelyev drove for a layup before a Kinsey triple put the hoists ahead 36-35 after an 11-2 run. Bjelica tied the game from the line and Goudelock’s scoop shot high off the glass gave the visitors a 36-38 lead at the break. Kinsey hit a shot that seemed to tie it, but it was ruled to be after the buzzer.

Third quarter: Bogdanovic, Goudelock spur visitors forward

The second half began with another Bogdanovic three. Parakhouski scored inside for the hosts. After Nikos Zisis scored his first points for Fenerbahce, Parakhouski’s three-point play made it 41-43. Parakhouski rejected Bjelica at the rim, but the forward scored again for Fenerbahce. Kinsey and Goudelock each scored from the line. Bogdanovic’s layup made it 43-49 midway through the quarter. Kinsey hit a long jumper, but Bogdanovic put in his own miss to keep Fenerbahce rolling. Goudelock netted a tough layup before Nizhny called timeout. Antonov got to the line for 2 and after Vesely’s tip-in, Rochestie found Antonov for a slam. Preldzic and Rochestie traded baskets before Goudelock ended the quarter with a three for a 51-60 lead.

Fourth quarter: Fenerbahce’s defense seals the outcome

Goudelock fed Vesely for a slam and foul that gave the visitors their first double-digit lead. Baburin hit a three to the delight of the local fans. However, tough times hit when Thomkins committed his fourth foul and Preldzic soon scored again. Goudelock impressed with a reverse layup. Thompkins did a near-imitation, but Goudelock scored again. The Fenerbahce defense kept Nizhny in check and time began to run out on the home side. Goudelock sandwiched a jumper and a layup around a basket from Kinsey as Fenerbahce put the game on ice with time to spare.