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Anadolu Efes defeated Italian side Virtus Bologna 103-91 in Istanbul on Friday in Round 11 of the EuroLeague, Europe's top-tier club basketball competition, securing their fifth victory of the season.
Playing at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, the Turkish side took control in the first half and held off a third-quarter comeback before pulling away in the closing period.
Jordan Loyd led Anadolu Efes with 22 points, followed by Malcolm with 20, while Bruno Fernando contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds before leaving the game with an injury.
The result marked Anadolu Efes' fifth win of the campaign, while Virtus Bologna suffered its seventh defeat.
The opening six minutes remained closely contested, but Anadolu Efes began to pull away through Malcolm's scoring contributions and finished the first quarter ahead 28-20.
The hosts maintained their momentum in the second period, with Fernando and contributions from the bench helping extend the advantage to 17 points before halftime. Although Virtus Bologna responded with outside shooting, Anadolu Efes entered the break leading 60-43.
Anadolu Efes stretched its advantage to 18 points early in the third quarter as Payne hit three consecutive shots from beyond the arc. However, the hosts then struggled offensively, allowing Virtus Bologna to cut the deficit to eight points heading into the final quarter at 76-68.
Loyd stepped up in the closing period as Anadolu Efes converted seven three-pointers to regain control and seal a 103-91 victory.
Anadolu Efes center Bruno Fernando suffered an injury with 22 seconds remaining in the second quarter and was unable to return to the game.
Despite playing just 13 minutes and 40 seconds, the Angolan international recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds, completing a double-double, a basketball term for reaching double figures in two statistical categories.
Before tipoff, a minute of silence was observed to mark the 88th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, and to honor four soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in Malatya.
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