EUROCHALLENGE

Jeff Taylor

Darius Washington had 16 points in Türk Telekom's win over Fenerbahce

TURK TELEKOM BACK ON TRACK

Turk Telekom had a poor start to the EuroChallenge last week in losing at home to Pinar Karsiyaka, but there is no doubting their potential after the Ankara club's 83-64 victory at Fenerbahce.

Timucin Meric's team played well from the off, jumping out to a 22-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and stretching that to 41-31 by half-time.

With Kaspars Kambala and Mehmet Okur pouring in 20 and 18 points, respectively, Turk Telekom pulled away for a decisive triumph.

Darius Washington added 16 points for Turk Telekom.

Both he and Okur finished a rebound shy of double-doubles.

Fenerbahce, who play in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and had scraped a 73-70 win at Bizkaia Bilbao Basket in midweek, got 12 points from Oguz Savas.

Turk Telekom out-rebounded Fener, 47-33, as they improved to 4-1 in the BEKO Basketbol Ligi.

"We're happy to beat one of our strong opponents in Istanbul," Meric said.

"The coherence problem in our team - it's about to vanish.

"There is no team we can't beat with team defense."

The hangover Meric feared might happen did not.

"We were expecting a negative effect of the Karsiyaka game but what happened was the exact opposite," the coach said.

"Now, we're facing a German side in Bonn in the EuroChallenge and we definitely want to win."

Karsiyaka, who bounced back from last week's home defeat to Turk Telekom by beating them in Ankara in the EuroChallenge, romped to a 91-75 win at Hacettepe University.

Goran Ikonic and Jovo Stanojevic, the Player of the Week in the EuroChallenge's opening round, each had 14 points.

İlkan Karaman had 11 points and 10 rebounds as Karsiyaka improved to 2-3.

Besiktas Milangaz won their fifth consecutive game in Turkey's top flight, beating Mersin 98-82, and share the lead in the standings with Anadolu Efes.

Besiktas host Armia in the EuroChallenge this week.

Olin Edirne followed up their 80-72 home defeat to ETHA in the EuroChallenge with a 74-67 setback to Trabzonspor.

HOLSTON HEROICS IN GERMANY

Artland Dragons remained hot, edging FC Bayern Munich in overtime, 86-83.

The winners got a remarkable performance from David Holston, whose two free-throws late in regulation tied the game at 72-72 and forced overtime.

In the extra period, the Dragons trailed by six but came from behind.

Holston buried his fourth three-ball of the extra period with three seconds left to seal the triumph.

He finished with a team-high 23 points as seventh-place Artland improved to 5-3.

"In overtime, we were behind with six and everyone saw what David did," Artland coach Stefan Koch said.

"In addition, we have now seen that (recent signing) Goran Jeretin is a very experienced and intelligent player with great vision who will do us good."

Telekom Baskets Bonn had the unenviable task of meeting defending German champions Brose Baskets Bamberg at the weekend and fell, 85-73.

Fresh off their 79-71 defeat at BC "Minsk-2006" in the EuroChallenge, Bonn got 21 points from Chris Ensminger.

After digging themselves an early 11-point hole against Bamberg, Bonn fought back and knotted the game at 59-59 late in the third quarter on a three-ball by Zvonko Buljan.

The game was tied at 63-63 when Predrag Suput scored six points in a row to put Bamberg in front to stay.

The other German clubs in the EuroChallenge, EWE Baskets Oldenburg and BG Göttingen, suffered heavy defeats.

ALBA Berlin hosted Ewe Baskets and thrashed them, 97-67.

Göttingen slumped to a 92-60 defeat at s.Oliver Baskets.

CYPRUS, HUNGARY AND RUSSIA

Keravnos hit back from their midweek setback to Artland by destroying AEL Limassol, 125-50.

Hungary's EuroChallenge outfits had contrasting results.

Szolnoki Olaj lost 80-72 to Soproni and Atomeromu cruised to a 73-52 victory over Jaszberenyi.

Russia's team were in action.

BC NN rolled to a 102-88 victory over VEF Riga after getting 20 points from Nemanja Protic and 18 apiece from Michal Ignerski and Ivan Paunic.

In Russia's top flight, meanwhile, Jerry Jefferson had 18 points for Triumph Lyubertsy but they suffered a 93-72 blowout defeat at home to Khimki.

Two of Lithuania's former national team stars, Triumph coach Valdemaras Chomicius and Khimky boss Rimas Kurtinaitis, squared off.

"First and foremost, I want to say that I was very glad to meet with Rimas Kurtinaitis," Chomicius said.

"As for the game, this contest once again convinced me of the need to work harder in training."