By Can Erozden
Istanbul-based basketball club Fenerbahce Beko were stunned by visitors Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade 85-76 in a Tuesday Turkish Airlines EuroLeague regular season game.
The Serbian club entered 2024 with an away victory, and more importantly, it was their first-ever win at Fenerbahce's home court Ulker Sports and Events Hall.
Separately, Crvena Zvezda ended Fenerbahce Beko's unbeaten run at home.
This was also the first loss suffered by Lithuanian head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius since he was hired by Fenerbahce Beko on Dec. 14.
On Tuesday evening, US center Joel Bolomboy led Crvena Zvezda with a career-high 24 points.
Lithuania's Rokas Giedraitis scored 19 points for the Serbian club. Adam Hanga added 12 points for Crvena Zvezda.
Fenerbahce Beko's Nigel Hayes-Davis racked up a team-high 21 points.
The Turkish team's playmaker Scottie Wilbekin produced 14 points and Johnathan Motley added 11 points for the losing side.
The score was 57-57 before the teams entered the fourth quarter.
Crvena Zvezda guard Milos Teodosic scored a crucial three-pointer for his team to make it 76-67 with two minutes and 26 seconds remaining to the final buzzer, encouraging the Belgrade club.
Fenerbahce Beko are ninth in the standings with 10 wins in 18 games.
Crvena Zvezda have a 7-11 win/loss record to be in 15th spot in the EuroLeague.
Real Madrid are the EuroLeague leaders as the Whites are going 16-1 before their visit to bitter rivals Barcelona on Wednesday.
- Tuesday's results:
Fenerbahce Beko - Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade: 76-85
Zalgiris Kaunas - ALBA Berlin: 77-71
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv - Monaco: 93-83
Olympiacos - EA7 Emporio Armani Milan: 79-74
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade - LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne: 90-77