FC Bayern Munich defeated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 101-93 on Wednesday, October 14, handing the Turkish side its third consecutive EuroLeague loss while ending a three-game losing streak of its own. Duane Washington led the visitors with 21 points off the bench, continuing an impressive start to his Bayern career.
Washington shot 8-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-6 from three-point range, and has now scored at least 18 points in each of his first four EuroLeague appearances for Bayern. He opened his campaign with consecutive 20-point performances before scoring 18 in his third outing.
Andreas Obst added 20 points, while Rokas Jokubaitis finished with nine and delivered seven crucial points during the closing stages. Bayern improved to 2-3, while Anadolu Efes dropped to 1-4 after five rounds.
The contest began as a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging baskets before Cameron Payne caught fire from beyond the arc. The Efes guard scored 18 points and knocked down three consecutive three-pointers to help the hosts establish momentum.
Washington’s introduction changed the rhythm. The 26-year-old scored seven straight points late in the first quarter and helped fuel two 7-0 runs in the second, giving Bayern greater control of the game.
With Obst contributing from long range and Austin Wiley providing an inside presence, Bayern built a double-digit advantage. Dario Saric kept Efes within reach, however, scoring 21 points for a career high and helping the hosts limit the halftime deficit to 54-46.
Saric also collected six rebounds, while Efes received 15 points from Matthew Strazel and 13 from Collin Malcolm. Yet the home side struggled to contain Bayern’s perimeter attack, as the visitors made 13 of 30 three-point attempts compared with Efes’ eight of 28.
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Bayern opened the third quarter with another 7-0 run, threatening to pull away. Efes responded through Saric’s work inside and its offensive rebounding, keeping the deficit manageable as the home crowd tried to inspire a comeback.
The hosts eventually finished with 93 points, but their defensive problems persisted. Efes committed 20 turnovers, which Bayern converted into 18 points, allowing the German team to maintain its advantage despite stretches of resistance.
Bayern also benefited from Washington’s efficiency and Obst’s shooting. The visitors finished with 68.6% shooting on two-point attempts and 43.3% from three, giving them enough offensive production to withstand Efes’ late push.
Jokubaitis then stepped forward when the game was on the line, scoring seven consecutive points to effectively put the contest beyond the hosts’ reach. Washington’s contribution proved decisive once again, as Bayern secured a road victory and halted its own losing run.
The result leaves Anadolu Efes searching for answers after three straight defeats and a 1-4 start to the EuroLeague season. Bayern, meanwhile, will look to build on its improved performance when it visits Besiktas Istanbul on Friday.
Efes faces another road test the same day, travelling to Lithuania to take on Zalgiris Kaunas.
