Our visiting Beşiktaş Cola Turka Men’s Basketball and Bandırma Banvit faced each other off in game 2 of their quarterfinal playoff series, and after an 80-80 tie at the end of regulation, host Banvit managed a 90-89 overtime win to trim series deficit to 2-1.

Despite getting out-rebounded on the offensive glass most of the quarter, the Black and White rode the hot hands of Kaya Peker and Shumpert and took a 21-19 by the end of opening quarter. In second quarter they began to dominate the boards and milked the free throw line on their way to a 43-39 halftime lead.
Banvit tried to take charge early in the third, but Beşiktaş Cola remained firmly in control. Although the Black and White came up empty on quite a few possessions in later stages, consecutive baskets by Nicevic and Chase helped them to maintain a 59- 54 advantege after three quarters of play.  The home squad Banvit came out storming in the fourth and knocked down a couple jumpers to tie the score at 59-59. Then the game turned into a sea-saw affair rest of the way with Beşiktaş Cola Turka holding only a slight edge. Teams were locked in an 80-80 tie with 8 seconds remaining on the clock. When the Black and White’s last scoring on the buzzer failed, the game went to overtime.
After Nicevic nailed two back-to-back jumpers to open the scoring in OT, Beşiktaş Cola Turka had trouble containing home team’s fast-breaks and trailed 88-84 with 2:30 to play. Nonetheless, the Black and White managed to pull ahead 89-88 entering the final minute on Chase’s 3-pointer. But a lay-up by Chrisp with 2 seconds to go put Banvit ahead, 90-89, for good. Despite the loss, Beşiktaş Cola Turka still holds a 2-1 series lead.
 
The Game 3 of the series will take place in Bandırma City again on Saturday May 10th. If our boys in Black and White win this game, they will advance to semifinals, otherwise the teams travel to Istanbul with a 2-2 series tie for the deciding game scheduled to be played at BJK Cola Arena on May 13th.