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Anadolu Efes defeated EuroLeague leaders Panathinaikos 83-68 at home on Friday, handing the Greek side their second loss of the season after pulling away with a decisive 14-0 scoring run in the final quarter.
The Round 9 victory lifted the Turkish team's record to four wins and five losses, while Panathinaikos dropped to 7-2 after being held to their lowest-scoring performance of the campaign.
Despite seeing their lead cut to a single point late in the fourth quarter, Efes regained control and closed out the contest with a commanding advantage.
Anadolu Efes set the pace from the opening minutes, moving ahead 17-9 midway through the first quarter before Panathinaikos tightened up defensively and reduced the gap to 21-18.
The Turkish hosts stepped up their offense in the second period, extending their lead to 39-27 before entering halftime ahead 45-37.
Both teams struggled to convert their shots from beyond the three-point line in the third quarter, but Efes held on to their advantage and carried a 61-51 lead into the final period.
Panathinaikos fought back at the start of the fourth quarter, opening with seven unanswered points to narrow the deficit to 61-58.
Although Efes responded with five consecutive points, the visitors continued to close the gap as Kendrick Nunn scored five straight to make it 66-63.
The Greek side eventually pulled within a single point at 66-65, putting pressure on the hosts with the game entering its closing stages.
However, Efes answered with a 14-0 run, stretching their advantage to 80-65 with two minutes and 30 seconds remaining before wrapping up the 83-68 victory.
Colin Malcolm and Bruno Fernando led Anadolu Efes with 15 points each, while Cameron Payne added 14, including nine in the fourth quarter.
Dario Saric also played a significant role, recording a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. A double-double refers to a player reaching double figures in two statistical categories during a game.
For Panathinaikos, Nunn finished as the game's leading scorer with 17 points, while Nigel Hayes-Davis contributed 11.
The result marked Efes' fourth victory in nine EuroLeague games and brought Panathinaikos' record to seven wins and two defeats.
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