İZMİR, Turkey — Karşıyaka Basketbol snapped a frustrating start to the 2024-25 Basketbol Süper Ligi campaign by earning its first back-to-back victories of the season, defeating Bahçeşehir Koleji 82-76 on the road in Istanbul on Saturday night.
The win, secured at the Sinan Erdem Dome, marked a turning point for the İzmir-based club, which had entered the game with a 2-3 record and growing pressure to find consistency early in the league schedule. Karşıyaka now sits at 4-3 matching Bahçeşehir’s record and positioning itself firmly in the middle of the 16-team standings.
“This is what we’ve been working toward,” said Karşıyaka head coach Ufuk Sarıca after the game. “Not just the win, but the way we competed for 40 minutes. We stayed disciplined, moved the ball, and made the plays when it mattered. That’s the standard we want to set.”
The victory ended a two-game skid for Bahçeşehir Koleji, which had looked poised to climb into the upper echelon of the league after strong showings against Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe earlier in the month. Instead, the Istanbul side struggled to contain Karşıyaka’s balanced attack, particularly in the second half when the visitors outscored them 48-36 after the break.
Guard TJ Williams led all scorers with 22 points, hitting four three-pointers and adding six assists even as shooting efficiently from the field. Forward Adrien Moerman contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, providing crucial interior presence and second-chance opportunities. Point guard Vasilije Micić, in his first season with Karşıyaka after departing Anadolu Efes, orchestrated the offense with 14 points and nine assists, repeatedly finding open shooters and cutting lanes.
Bahçeşehir’s effort was paced by former NBA player Džanan Musa, who finished with 20 points and seven rebounds, but he received minimal support beyond guard Tyler Cavanaugh (15 points) and center Johnathan Motley (12 points, 9 rebounds). The team shot just 38% from the field and committed 15 turnovers, which Karşıyaka converted into 20 points.
The turning point came midway through the third quarter. Trailing 48-45, Karşıyaka launched a 14-2 run fueled by defensive stops and transition baskets. Micić hit a step-back three to cap the surge, giving İzmir a 59-50 lead they would not relinquish. Bahçeşehir closed to within four points with under two minutes left, but consecutive free throws by Moerman and a steal-and-layup by Williams sealed the outcome.
“We knew they’d make a run,” said Sarıca. “That’s what good teams do. But our guys stayed connected. We talked through the switches, helped on the drives, and when we got stops, we pushed. That’s how you win on the road in this league.”
The result carries added significance given Karşıyaka’s recent roster turnover. The club lost several key contributors from last season’s playoff team, including veteran guard Şehmus Hazer and forward Brian Qvale, and entered the season integrating new imports Micić, Williams, and Moerman. Early struggles were attributed to chemistry issues and adjustment to Sarıca’s motion-based offensive system.
Now, with two consecutive wins, signs of cohesion are emerging. Karşıyaka ranks third in the league in assists per game (22.1) and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8), reflecting improved ball movement and decision-making. Defensively, they’ve held opponents under 80 points in three of their last four games.
Bahçeşehir Koleji, meanwhile, faces questions about its perimeter defense and bench scoring. Despite Musa’s All-Star caliber talent, the team ranks 12th in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 37.2% from beyond the arc. Head coach Erdem Can acknowledged the shortcomings postgame.
“We didn’t execute our plan,” Can said. “We gave them too many open looks, especially in the second half. We have to be better at communicating and rotating. Credit to Karşıyaka — they played harder and smarter.”
Looking ahead, Karşıyaka returns home to face Beşiktaş on Wednesday at the Karşıyaka Arena, a venue known for its energetic atmosphere and strong home-court advantage. Beşiktaş enters the matchup at 5-2, having won four of its last five, and will test whether Karşıyaka can sustain its improved form in front of its fans.
Bahçeşehir Koleji travels to Ankara to face Türk Telekom on Friday, a rematch of last season’s playoff quarterfinal series. Türk Telekom, currently 3-4, has won two straight and will look to capitalize on any lingering frustration from the Bahçeşehir loss.
For Karşıyaka, the back-to-back wins represent more than just a bump in the standings. They signal a potential shift in trajectory — one where early growing pains offer way to the competitiveness fans and management envisioned when assembling this roster.
“It’s one step,” Sarıca said when asked if the win marked a turning point. “But it’s an important one. Now we know what we’re capable of when we’re locked in. The challenge is doing it again — and again — and again.”
The Basketbol Süper Ligi continues to showcase its depth and unpredictability, with no team having won more than three consecutive games this season. As the league approaches the midway point of the regular season, every victory carries weight in the playoff push.
For now, Karşıyaka Basketbol can savor a rare moment of stability. Two wins in a row may not yet define a season, but for a team searching for identity, it’s a beginning.
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