TUR – Fenerbahce end 43-year cup drought

ADANA (8’li Final Kura Cekimi) – Fenerbahçe Ulker beat Mersin Büyüksehir Belediyesi 72-68 to lift the Turkish Cup trophy for the first time since 1967.

Bogdan Tanjevic’s side relied on some good old fashioned balanced scoring as tournament Most Valuable Player Tarence Kinsey, Roko Leni Ukic, Emir Preldzic and Lynn Greer each had 11 points.

Mersin overcame a slow start to get within 23-20 at the end of the first quarter and when James Baron found his shooting touch, they made the most of it to take a 42-40 lead at the break.

Fenerbahce recovered and edged in front 56-55 heading into the final frame where their opponents – much as they did in the third period –cooled off offensively, with baskets harder to come by.

Gordon Giricek buried a three-pointer to put Fener up 66-61 before Baron cut the deficit to three but Mersin wouldn’t get any closer the rest of the way.

Baron and Dominic James both had game-highs of 18 points.

FIBA