Karatay Belediyespor Elendi: TB2L Play-Off Rövanşında Kütahya Belediyespor Yükseldi

Kütahya – Karatay Belediyespor’s inaugural Türkiye Basketbol 2. Ligi (TBL) playoff journey concluded with an 81-66 defeat to Kütahya Belediyespor in a decisive Game 2 of the elimination round, played Saturday at Dumlupınar Sports Hall. Despite a first-game advantage, Karatay Belediyespor couldn’t overcome a strong performance from the hosts, ending their season with a promising, yet ultimately incomplete, playoff appearance.

The loss marks the end of a successful season for Karatay Belediyespor, who finished among the top six teams in the regular season with a record of 10 wins and 28 points, earning their first-ever playoff berth in the TBL. The team, representing Konya, showed considerable growth throughout the year, but fell short of advancing to the quarterfinal stage.

First-Game Advantage Squandered

Karatay Belediyespor entered the second game with a significant advantage, having won the first matchup on their home court 92-81. However, they were unable to replicate that success on the road. Kütahya Belediyespor came out with heightened energy and a focused defensive strategy, taking control of the game early.

Kütahya established a commanding lead in the first half, finishing with a 44-28 advantage. Whereas Karatay attempted a comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap at times, they couldn’t sustain the momentum and ultimately succumbed to the pressure.

Turnovers and Rebounding Prove Costly

A major factor in Karatay Belediyespor’s defeat was their struggles with ball control. The team committed a total of 21 turnovers, giving Kütahya Belediyespor numerous opportunities to extend their lead. Kütahya dominated the boards, securing 44 rebounds compared to Karatay’s 30, limiting second-chance opportunities for the visitors.

Key Performances

Emirhan Merdin led Karatay Belediyespor in scoring with 23 points, adding 3 rebounds. Oğulcan Metehan Deniz contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Emre Özkan added 10 points and 5 rebounds. Despite their individual efforts, the team couldn’t overcome Kütahya’s collective performance.

For Kütahya Belediyespor, Atakan Erdek was the standout performer with 22 points and 4 rebounds. Serkan Özver recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Onur Dağ also notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Their strong interior presence and rebounding prowess proved crucial to their victory.

Kütahya Advances to Quarterfinals

With the win, Kütahya Belediyespor advances to the quarterfinal round of the TBL playoffs, where they will face Kerusus. The team’s ability to overcome an 11-point deficit from the first game demonstrates their resilience and determination.

For Karatay Belediyespor, the season ends with valuable experience gained from their first playoff appearance. The team will look to build on this foundation and continue to develop their players for future seasons. The experience of competing in the playoffs will undoubtedly be beneficial as they strive to become a consistent contender in the TBL.

The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) will announce the schedule for the quarterfinal matches shortly. Fans can uncover the latest updates and information on the TBF’s official website.

Next Up: Kütahya Belediyespor will face Kerusus in the TBL quarterfinals. Dates and times will be announced by the league.