Baskonia stuns Fenerbahce in Istanbul

Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz boosted its playoff chances with a 74-79 road win over Fenerbahce Istanbul on Thursday at Fenerbahce Ulker Sports Arena. Baskonia, which routed Fenerbahce at home earlier in the season, improved to 14-11 to keep its spot in the playoff zone. Fenerbahce, which was missing All-EuroLeague center Ekpe Udoh, saw its five game home-court winning streak snapped as it fell to 16-9, but remains in fourth place. Shane Larkin led Baskonia with 19 points and Rafa Luz added 10 points in a balanced attack that features eight players with at least 7 points. Baskonia outrebounded Fenerbahce 20-32 in what was among the keys to the game. The visitors led for much of the game and went ahead by 10 in the fourth quarter. Fenerbahce rallied and had the ball down 3 in the final seconds, but Anthony Bennett missed what would have been a game-tying three. Bogdan Bogdanovic starred with 26 points and 8 assists and Luigi Datome added 10 points in defeat.

Bogdanovic took charge with a jumper and a reverse layup to give the hosts a 7-4 edge. Bogdanovic added two more baskets to stretch the lead to 5, but a similarly red-hot Jaka Blazic nailed a three to keep Baskovic close, 13-11. Chase Budinger then connected from deep to give Baskonia the lead, but Blazic took a seat with 3 fouls. A flurry of shots to end the first quarter finished with a Rafa Luz three pointer that gave the visitors an 18-19 edge. Anthony Bennett rocked the rim with a vicious slam before the lead switched hands three times on as many baskets with Luigi Datome and Adam Hanga trading triples. The score was tied at 28-28 midway through the second quarter after a Larkin jumper. Larkin carried the Baskonia attack and his first three of the game put the visitors ahead 35-39. Hanga assed a three in the closing seconds of the second quarter to give Baskonia a 35-43 halftime advantage. Ilimane Diop opened the scoring in the second half with a bucket that gave Baskonia a double-digit lead. More than three minutes passed before Bogdanovic got the Fenerbahce attack going, but Baskonia remained in control. Nikola Kalinic’s fast break slam closed the gap to 43-49. Larkin and Melih Mahmutoglu traded threes before Bogdanovic scored twice to make it a 2-point game. Baskonia responded to cling to the lead, but another Mahmutoglu three got the hosts within 55-56. Toko Shengelia hit a three and Budinger added free throws, but a Blakic bomb from beyond halfcourt was ruled to be after the third-quarter buzzer, to Baskonia took a 55-61 lead into the fourth. Rafa Luz blew past Bobby Dixon for a basket-plus-foul that made it 58-67. Kim Tillie connected from deep to make it a 10-point game. Kalninic revived the Fenerbahce hopes with a three-pointer and Bogdanovic added another to make it 66-70 with 3:30 to play. Bennett soared for a monster slam that brought the fans to their feet at 70-71 with less than two minutes to go. Roddy Beaubois responded with a clutch three-pointer and then added free throws to inflate the cushion to 6 with 74 seconds remaining. Fener fought back and got to within 3 with the ball, but Bennett missed from downtown, Baskonia corralled the rebound and scored on the break to put the game away.