May 2, 2018

The series continued on Monday with one team looking to win the title at home and the other looking to force the series back home for a deciding game.  Yakin Dogu University looked set to tie the series early, but Fenerbahce dominated the third quarter and then went into cruise control to win 62-53.  The powerhouse finally avenged the difficult defeat from last year and took some of the sting away from the rest of the club’s weekend.

Fenerbahce vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 62-53 FEN Sottana 14 Verameyenka 11/9r Plum 11 Vaughn 10/7r Canitez 0 YDU McBride 15 Hollingsworth 11/10r Lavender 10/7r Gruda 8 Vandersloot 6/7a Cakir 0

Fenerbahce wins series 3-1

May 19, 2018

Both teams were able to field their ideal lineups for the first time on Saturday.  It was a momentous weekend for the entire club as Fenerbahce hosted Yakin Dogu University.  Both shooting guards played well, but Kelsey Plum got more help from the frontcourt than Kayla McBride as the home team outscored the top seed in each quarter to win 81-68.  They will now look to win at home on Monday to avenge last season’s finish and avoid another game on their opponent’s home floor.

Fenerbahce vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 81-68 FEN Plum 20 Verameyenka 18/8r/6a Vaughn 17/10r Vardarli 12/7a Canitez 0/6r YDU McBride 22 Vandersloot 14/7a Lavender 12/10r Hollingsworth 10/9r Gruda 6 Cakir 4

Fenerbahce leads series 2-1

May 16, 2018

The series continued on Wednesday with Yakin Dogu University able to field their optimal lineup again while Fenerbahce made some tweaks.  The hosts had a fast start, but Fenerbahce fought their way back by halftime as they looked to extend their series lead.  Yakin Dogu University built their lead back up in the third quarter on their way to a 68-61 win to tie the series.  The next games will be hosted by Fenerbahce on Saturday and Monday as they still have the chance to win the title on their home floor.

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Fenerbahce 68-61 YDU Vandersloot 15/11a Hollingsworth 14/11r Cakir 10 McBride 9/7r Lavender 8/7r Gruda 8 FEN Plum 13/6a Vaughn 8/7r Canitez 7 Dabovic 5

Series tied 1-1

May 14, 2018

A rematch of last year’s fantastic finals started on Monday.  Yakin Dogu University was forced into a lineup change and while they still had solid backcourt production, it was not enough against a hungry Fenerbahce squad in an 83-76 loss.  The teams now have a day off before resuming their series as Fenerbahce will be looking to extend their lead before they get to host while Yakin Dogu University will be trying to avoid building a deficit that they cannot overcome.

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Fenerbahce 76-83 YDU Lavender 14 McBride 13 Eldebrink 11 Hollingsworth 10/8r Gruda 10 Cakir 9/8a FEN Vaughn 17 Plum 17 Vardarli 10/6r/6a Canitez 7

May 11, 2018

On Friday, Yakin Dogu University looked to be in position to advance early, but Cukurova fought back at home.  Kayla McBride and the visitors clamped down in the fourth quarter to leave with a 76-66 win and a finals rematch with Fenerbahce.

Cukurova vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 66-76 CUK DeShields 15 Guler 15 Iagupova 11/11a Talay 10 Larkins 7/15r YDU McBride 20 Lavender 16/6r Cakir 9 Vandersloot 9/11a Hollingsworth 8 Gruda 8

Yakin Dogu Universitesi wins series 3-1

On Tuesday, Yakin Dogu University made a lineup change to press their advantage in the post and used a strong start to be Cukurova 76-64.  Diamond DeShields led the hosts, who will now have to win on Friday to extend their magical season.  On Wednesday, Hatay had a good start in their quest to extend their season on the road, but Anastasiya Verameyenka and the hosts came back to win 77-74 and complete the sweep.  Despite many twists and turns in the regular season, Fenerbahce now returns to the finals as they look to avenge the tough defeat that ended their last season.

May 8, 2018

Cukurova vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 64-76 CUK DeShields 20/8r Iagupova 12 Larkins 11/9r YDU Hollingsworth 18/10r McBride 15 Lavender 14 Cakir 12/7a Gruda 9/9r Vandersloot 5/10a

Yakin Dogu Universitesi leads series 2-1

May 9, 2018

Fenerbahce vs. Hatay 77-74 FEN Verameyenka 20/12r Plum 18/6r Vaughn 13 Vardarli 10/6a Cora 10 Canitez 3 HAT Paris 16/15r Mitchell 14/7a Turner 14 Snytsina 12/7r Ben Abdelkader 7 Tanacan 0

Fenerbahce wins series 3-0

One semifinal continued on Saturday.  Yakin Dogu University was ready to build on their lead, but Cukurova was excellent coming out of halftime on their way to a 59-55 win, giving themselves a chance to win the series at home.  On Sunday, Hind Ben Abdelkader got Hatay’s backcourt firing, but Fenerbahce’s strong fourth quarter got them the 68-59 win and two chances to win the series at home.

May 5, 2018

Yakin Dogu Universtesi vs. Cukurova 55-59 YDU Vandersloot 19/6r Hollingsworth 13/9r McBride 9 Lavender 6/7r Cakir 0/6r CUK Iagupova 17 Larkins 12/15r DeShields 11/9r

Series tied 1-1

May 6,. 2018

Hatay vs. Fenerbahce 59-68 HAT Ben Abdelkader 22 Mitchell 17 Turner 11 Paris 8/17r Tanacan 0 FEN Verameyenka 19/9r/6a Plum 18 Vaughn 11/7r Canitez 4/8r/6a Dabovic 0

Fenerbahce leads series 2-0

The first semifinals series started on Wednesday.  Cukurova had the early momentum behind their three stars as Alina Iagupova led the way again, but Yakin Dogu University fought back multiple times, doing enough late to win 78-76.  On Thursday, Fenerbahce controlled the second half at Hatay to win 73-58 and flip advantage back to themselves.  The next games will be played over the weekend.

May 2, 2018

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Cukurova 78-76 YDU Lavender 19/6r Vandersloot 18/10a McBride 12/7r Hollingsworth 9/7r Cakir 8 CUK Iagupova 28/6r DeShields 18/7r Larkins 14/16r

May 3, 2018

Hatay vs. Fenerbahce 58-73 HAT Paris 19/10r Mitchell 13 Ben Abdelkader 9 Turner 5 Tanacan 0 FEN Canitez 13/11r Verameyenka 12/7r Sottana 12 Vardarli 11 Vaughn 10/6r Plum 5

On Friday, Hatay bounced back and controlled the fourth quarter against Mersin to win 72-64 and send the series back home.  Bernice Mosby led Besiktas, but Ayse Cora caught fire from distance to help Fenerbahce win 79-64 and complete the sweep.  On Saturday, Galatasaray got Allie Quigley back, which gave them a chance, but Jantel Lavender and Yakin Dogu University demonstrated their great depth in an 87-81 win to complete the sweep.  Botas had a fast start as they tried to extend their season, but Cukurova fought back and turned the tables in the second half to win 61-59 and extend an impressive debut season.  That leaves only one deciding game to be played on Monday.

April 27, 2018

Mersin vs. Hatay 64-72 MER Hartley 17/7a Gajic 16/13r Thomas 15/15r Putnina 2 HAT Paris 17/13r Snytsina 15 Mitchell 13/7a Yavas 11 Turner 7 Ben Abdelkader 3 Tanacan 1

Series tied 1-1

Besiktas vs. Fenerbahce 64-79 BES Mosby 22/7r Perovanovic 16/7r Imren 16 Zellous 6/6r Ozelci 0 FEN Cora 21 Verameyenka 12/10r Canitez 10/9r Sottana 10/6a Vaughn 8 Plum 6

Fenerbahce wins series 2-0

April 28, 2018

Galatasaray vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 81-87 GAL Quigley 27 Dubljevic 14/9r Petronyte 11 YDU Lavender 20/11r Vandersloot 19/7r/9a Cakir 14 Gruda 13 Hollingsworth 12/8r McBride 6

Yakin Dogu Universitesi wins series 2-0

Cukurova vs. Botas 61-59 CUK Larkins 14/16r/6a/6s DeShields 10/7r Talay 10 Iagupova 6/9a BOT Gray 15/8a Stokes 14/12r Eldebrink 8 Newlin 7/7r

Cukurova wins series 2-0

The playoffs started on Tuesday.  The long break clearly had an effect on teams as Hatay had a sluggish start against Mersin.  The game unexpectedly became a battle in the post between Courtney Paris and Krystal Thomas, who helped the visitors escape 78-75 to carry home a big result.  Iva Perovanovic did not get enough help from the rest of her team as Besiktas lost to their Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce 79-45.  The series that was expected to be the closest started on Wednesday as Alina Iagupova and Cukurova continued their strong season with a 67-61 win over Kiah Stokes and Botas.  The two teams responsible for the late start to the playoffs also played as Yakin Dogu University shook off disappointment and brought Gintare Petronyte and Galatasaray down from their high with a 90-53 win.

April 24, 2018

Hatay vs. Mersin 75-78 HAT Paris 23/15r Ben Abdelkader 15 Turner 10/10r Mitchell 9 Tanacan 0 MER Thomas 21/12r Hartley 15 Gumusay 12 Gajic 5/9r Putnina 4

Fenerbahce vs. Besiktas 79-45 FEN Verameyenka 15/7r Vaughn 14/8r Plum 13/6a Canitez 5 BES Perovanovic 25 Mosby 8/11r Zellous 8/8r

April 25, 2018

Botas vs. Cukurova 61-67 BOT Stokes 21/11r Gray 14/6r/7a Newlin 10 Eldebrink 8/6a CUK Iagupova 29 DeShields 12 Larkins 8/12r

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Galatasaray 90-53 YDU Lavender 19/10r McBride 14/8r Gruda 14 Vandersloot 13/8r/10a Hollingsworth 9/10r Cakir 8/7r/10a GAL Petronyte 22/9r Epoupa 13/6r/6s Dubljevic 8 Davis 2