Fenerbahce started the new EuroLeague season with a commanding 96-77 victory over Paris Basketball on Wednesday night.
Devon Hall was the standout performer, scoring a career-high 22 points and shooting 5-of-6 from three-point range. Newcomer Talen Horton-Tucker added 20 points, 19 of them after halftime, while Wade Baldwin recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.
Paris was led by Nadir Hifi, who finished with 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from deep. Justin Robinson followed with 17 points, but their efforts were not enough to keep the visitors in contention.
The opening quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Paris briefly taking a 13-17 lead after threes from Daulton Hommes, Hifi, and Robinson. Fenerbahce responded immediately with perimeter scoring from Brandon Boston, Tarik Biberovic, and Metecan Birsen to close the period ahead, 25-19.
In the second quarter, the hosts extended their momentum with a 22-4 run fueled by Hall and Bonzie Colson. Paris endured a seven-minute stretch without a field goal before Hommes broke the drought with a corner three. A late surge, capped by Hifi’s triple, cut the deficit to 43-40 at halftime.
Hifi continued his hot streak after the break, scoring 9 quick points to give Paris a 51-53 advantage. Horton-Tucker answered with a timely three-pointer, and the defending champions regained control. Nicolo Melli then buried three consecutive threes, including a buzzer-beater, pushing the margin to 70-59 at the end of the third.
The final quarter left no doubt. Baldwin’s dunk and Horton-Tucker’s outside shooting extended the lead to double digits. Paris managed to respond with another corner three from Hifi, but Hall’s accuracy from long range and Horton-Tucker’s scoring ensured Fenerbahce’s comfortable finish.
Fenerbahce closed the night with 15 made threes at 42.9% and 25 assists as a team. Their efficiency inside, converting 66.7% of two-pointers, complemented their perimeter attack.
Paris, meanwhile, shot just 30% on two-point attempts and committed 18 turnovers, which proved costly against the reigning champions.
