After having the original date for the game set back a day from Christmas, Allen Iverson and Beşiktaş Cola Turka punished Pınar Karşıyaka on Boxing Day instead, 89-65; Karşıyaka had pulled off a 101-98 upset of Euroleague contenders Fenerbahçe Ülker last week but was not to reproduce their fortune in this game.
In his return from a knee injury that had keep him off the court for about two weeks, Iverson went for 20 points on 5-of-11 overall shooting (including 4-of-7 on threes) and three assists, including this very sweet behind-the-back pass in transition to Team Australia’s A.J. Oglivy:
Ogilvy turned in a monster 20-point, 11-rebound performance in just 23 minutes of court time, while in just his second game with the club, Murat Nuri Kutlu was good for 14 points. Cevher Özer went for 15 and nine rebounds, while Mire Chatman added 13 and seven rebounds.
Beşiktaş is currently at 7-3 in TBL play, good for sixth place on the TBL table behind leaders Fenerbahçe at 10-1. The Eagles next play at Tofaş (3-8) on Wednesday.
