Istanbul, Turkey – Galatasaray MCT Technic rallied from a stunning 22-point deficit to defeat Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol 98-94 in a thrilling Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi contest on Thursday. The victory, secured at the Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi, marked Galatasaray’s 13th win of the season, while Büyükçekmece suffered their 20th loss.
The game was a tale of two halves, with Onvo Büyükçekmece dominating the first two quarters before Galatasaray ignited a remarkable comeback fueled by a dominant third period. The Sarı-Kırmızılılar (Galatasaray) outscored their opponents 35-12 in the third, completely shifting the momentum of the game.
Early on, Onvo Büyükçekmece seized control, opening the game with a 9-0 run in the first four minutes, capped by a dunk from Lecque. They continued to build their lead, extending it to 19 points – 31-12 – by the ninth minute, largely due to the struggles of Galatasaray’s defense. Pipes’ outside shooting proved particularly troublesome for the home team in the first quarter. Despite efforts from Galatasaray’s Meeks and Palmer, Büyükçekmece finished the first period ahead 33-20.
The second quarter saw Büyükçekmece capitalize on Galatasaray’s turnovers and missed opportunities. Johnson’s basket in the 15th minute pushed the lead to a staggering 22 points, 50-28. Still, Galatasaray responded with a timeout and a renewed defensive effort, chipping away at the deficit and entering halftime trailing 58-47.
The third quarter was where the game dramatically changed. Galatasaray came out with renewed intensity, establishing dominance in the paint. McCollum’s layup in the 25th minute gave Galatasaray their first lead of the game, 66-65. A stifling defense limited Büyükçekmece’s scoring opportunities, and McCollum’s free throws with six seconds remaining in the quarter extended the lead to 13 points, 82-69, heading into the final period.
Büyükçekmece attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, hitting several three-pointers to close the gap to 82-75. However, Galatasaray, led by Palmer and McCollum, managed to hold on and secure the 98-94 victory.
Palmer led Galatasaray with 23 points, while McCollum added 20. For Onvo Büyükçekmece, Lecque was the top scorer with 21 points, followed by Gavrilovic with 12.
Game Details:
- Salon: Basketbol Gelişim Merkezi
- Hakemler (Referees): Ali Şakacı, Ahmet Tatlıcı, Halil Erkoç
- Galatasaray MCT Technic: Can Korkmaz 3, Palmer 23, Petrucelli 5, Gillespie 5, White 13, McCollum 20, Ellis 4, Tibet Görener, Meeks 12, Buğrahan Tuncer 12, Muhsin Yaşar 1
- Onvo Büyükçekmece Basketbol: Van Der Vuurst 13, Muhaymin Mustafa 4, Can Kaan Turgut 5, Bruinsma 7, Gavrilovic 12, Lecque 21, Yiğit Özkan 3, Metin Türen 1, Pipes 12, Bandaogo 6, Doğan Şenli 6, Johnson 4
- 1. Periyot (1st Quarter): 20-33
- Devre (Halftime): 47-58
- 3. Periyot (3rd Quarter): 82-69
Following the game, Galatasaray head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s start, stating, “What happened at the beginning… We will have a long week, a long week for my players. I really love my players, but I need to push them a little bit to play differently from the jump ball.”
This win is crucial for Galatasaray as they continue to push for a favorable playoff position in the Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi. The team will look to build on this momentum in their next game, details of which have not yet been confirmed. Fans can stay updated on Galatasaray’s schedule and results through the team’s official website and social media channels.
The dramatic turnaround in Istanbul highlights Galatasaray’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity. While Onvo Büyükçekmece demonstrated early promise, they ultimately couldn’t withstand Galatasaray’s relentless pressure in the second half. This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of basketball and the importance of maintaining focus and intensity throughout the entire contest.
