Following the international break, on gameday 18 of Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League, Near East University played a home game versus Galatasaray. Under the helm of the Head Coach Zafer Kalaycıoğlu, the versatile players of Near East University propelled their team to a resounding win 70-54.
With this win, Near East University has made it 17-1 and secured their leading position in the league with 35 points while Galatasaray made it 8-10 and dropped to 9th place. Near East University defeated Galatasaray 71-77 on their ground on gameday 5 of the league as well.
According to the info released by the Near East University Sports Club, Near East University Women’s Basketball Team faced Galatasaray at Istanbul Caferağa Sports Saloon. The Near East University started the game with Kayla McBride, Courtney Vandersloot, Quanitra Hollingsworth, Bahar Çağlar and Olcay Çakır Turgut. The periods were completed as 16-20, 37-28, 58-41 and 70-54. With 14 points Courtney Vandersloot was the top scorer player of the game. Courtney Vandersloot, who is the assist leader in the league, has netted 1500 points in the league under the uniform of Near East University so far.
The game lived up to the expectations when the two teams clashed at Caferağa Sport Saloon in Istanbul. The 18th gameday of Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League was perfect for Near East University as they clung on to a 70-54 win against their rival, Galatasaray.
After a devastating first period of 16-20, Near East University started the second period with an effective performance and choked off any further indoors from Galatasaray with effective defense and dominated the game. The frontcourt players of Near East University began to get inside the paint and drive the ball to basket. In the first two minutes of the quarter, the score tied to 22-22. During this period, the frontcourt players of Near East University netted 21 points while Galatasaray netted only 8 points. Near East University completed the first half of the game with a win 37-28.
Although Galatasaray started the third quarter with a basket (37-30), Near East University responded with tough defense and effective attacks. Near East University’s versatile players weighted in with effective attacks and propelled their team to two-digit lead 53-39 towards the end of the final three minutes. Galatasaray could net only 13 points while Near East University netted 21 points and completed the third quarter with 58-41 win.
Starting the final quarter with 17 points advantage, the in-form players of Near East University continued to play effectively and gave Galatasaray no opportunity to make up the gap. McBride’s three-point shoot in the final 2 seconds determined the score of the game; 70-54.
Exhibiting a dazzling performance under the helm of the Head Coach Zafer Kalaycıoğlu, Near East University versatile players set a great platform with “team first” mentality to power their team to win the game 70-54.
Standouts
Near East University: Courtney Vandersloot 14 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, Kayla McBride 12 points, 3 rebounds, Sandrine Gruda 10 points, 3 rebounds, Quanitra Hollingsvorth 7 points, 7 rebounds, Jantel Lavender 6 points, 8 rebounds, Cansu Köksal 3 points, Olcay Çakır Turgut 6 points, 3 assists.
Galatasaray: Ewelina Kobryn 13 points, 3 rebounds, Jelena Dubljevic 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, Olivia Epoupa 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, Gintare Petronyte 7 points, 3 rebounds.
