The dream season of Turkish league leaders Turk Telekom continued on Tuesday as the Ankara side saw off the terrific challenge of Panionios to clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the EuroCup.

Erwin Dudley had 18 points and Derrick Alston poured in 14 while grabbing six rebounds in a 78-77 triumph.

The game was close throughout until Turk Telekom went in front at 78 70 with just 1:39 remaining.

Victory looked theirs, but they had to survive a nervous finish. Panionios scored the game's last seven points, with the final three coming six seconds from the end at the free throw line.

Muratcan Güler had fouled Aleksandar Subara while he was launching a shot from behind the arc, and he sank all three to cut the deficit to one.

Turk Telekom coach Ercument Sunter called a timeout to calm his players down and make sure they did not make a foolish inbounds pass, and when play resumed, the Turkish team were able to seal the victory.

Not much separated these sides with neither able to build a lead of more than six points until Turk Telekom went in front by eight near the end.

Panionios clawed their way back but came up just short.

Turk Telekom would have won more comfortably had they not struggled at the free throw line, making just 16 of 28 (57.1%).

Three of those misses came in the final minute, two of them from Güler to leave the door open for a Panionios comeback.

Panionios' Kennedy Winston had 20 points to lead all scorers.

All is not lost for the Greek team.

If Panionios win their game next week against Spirou Charleroi and Turk Telekom defeat Lokomotiv in Ankara, Panionios will advance to the last eight.