


Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul claimed a vital road win, 94-97, over Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade in a thriller at Stark Arena on Thursday. Fenerbahce improved to 15-9 and now holds a two-game lead over Partizan (13-12), as well as the head-to-head tiebreak advantage.
Partizan started strong but a 0-11 run in the second quarter allowed Fenerbahce to take charge, 27-37. Partizan soon recovered and it stayed extremely close the rest of the way, with multiple lead changes until Fenerbahce controlled the final stages. Marko Guduric starred with 25 points and 7 assists, aided by Dyshawn Pierre (21), Scottie Wilbekin (15) and Johnathan Motley (14). Kevin Punter top scored for Partizan with 25 points but fouled out near the end. Mathias Lessort recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in defeat.
Yam Madar and Ioannis Papapetrou both scored twice early for a 12-5 Partizan lead, but 10 points from Motley and 7 for Pierre tied it up after 10 minutes, 22-22.
Guduric hit a pair of three-pointers in a 0-11 run to make it 25-33, and two baskets from Carsen Edwards kept the lead at 30-39. Triples from Madar and Punter pulled Partizan closer, and it was 46-47 at halftime.
Two baskets from Alen Smailagic sent the hosts ahead, and Punter’s three-point play made it 62-57. Lessort combined 4 points with a big block, and it was 69-68 with 10 minutes left.
Punter and Wilbekin both scored 7 fast points for a 78-78 tie, before Guduric and Pierre triples made it 82-88. Two more scores from Guduric protected the lead, and Partizan couldn’t fight back.