Aliağa Petkimspor pulled off an 82-77 victory over Fenerbahçe Tarfin at the Ülker Sports and Event Hall in Istanbul during the fourth week of the Türkiye Sigorta Basketball Super League, handing the hosts their second defeat of the domestic campaign.
Ataşehir Upset Unfolds on the Domestic Front
Fenerbahçe entered the contest fresh off a successful double-round week in the EuroLeague where they secured two victories, but the Istanbul side failed to maintain that momentum on home soil. Aliağa Petkimspor arrived in Istanbul carrying two losses, yet the Izmir side quickly established control and built a double-digit lead by the end of the opening quarter. Petkim grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and scored effectively through its guards, holding the lead for all but the opening two minutes of the match.
First-Half Surge Gives Petkim the Advantage
The visitors set the tone early behind Khyri Thomas and Kendrick Cook. Thomas scored eight points to push Petkim ahead 12-8 near the midpoint of the first quarter, before Cook added seven points to extend the advantage to 14 points at 24-10. Petkim closed the opening period up 24-12. Fenerbahçe struggled with turnovers early on, allowing the Izmir squad to stretch the gap back to 14 points at 31-17 early in the second frame. Fenerbahçe tightened its defense and turned to Talen Horton-Tucker off the bench to shoulder the scoring load, cutting the deficit to 35-33 before Petkim secured a 39-33 halftime cushion.
Fenerbahçe Tarfin maçı hazırlıklarına evimizde devam ediyoruz. 🏀🔥#BirlikteHedefe pic.twitter.com/zSa0cpJ8Do
Melli Ignites Fenerbahçe Comeback Before Final Push
Thomas opened the third quarter with a four-point play to push Petkim back into a double-digit lead at 43-33, but Fenerbahçe responded immediately. Nicolo Melli connected on consecutive three-pointers to cap a run that leveled the score at 44-44 midway through the third period. Petkim regained its rhythm before the quarter ended, entering the final frame ahead 51-58. The visitors widened the gap to 63-51 early in the fourth quarter, and despite a late push from Fenerbahçe that sliced the margin to three points at 80-77 with under thirty seconds remaining, Cook converted his free throws to seal the 82-77 final score.
Box Score and Match Statistics
Emin Moğulkoç, Alper Özgök, and Samet Biner officiated the encounter at the Ülker Sports and Event Hall. For Fenerbahçe Tarfin, Talen Horton-Tucker led the scoring effort with 17 points alongside three rebounds and three assists, while Nicolo Melli contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Wade Baldwin added 10 points, Melih Mahmutoğlu and Sargiunas scored nine points each, and Silva chipped in nine points. Aliağa Petkimspor was paced by Max Abmas with 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Khyri Thomas posted 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Kendrick Cook finished with 13 points and three rebounds in the victory.
