Bobby Dixon scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and let the defending champions beat Zalgiris Kaunas (76-67) and advance to the Championship Game for a third straight season.
Zalgiris tried to make a third come-back in the game, but they came up short in the end and couldn’t stop Dixon, who scored crucial points in the fourth quarter.
The American point guard was unstoppable in the second half, ending the game with 19 points, on 8-of-11 shooting, in just 12 minutes of action. Luigi Datome had 16 points, on 7-of-9 shooting, and was a game changer in the first half for the winners, with Kostas Sloukas adding 14.
For Zalgiris Kaunas, who did their best and came back from double-digit deficits, Kevin Pangos had 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, with Brandon Davies making a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds), and Aaron White scoring 10 points.
Fenerbahce made an excellent start to the game and earned a six-point advantage (7-1), playing very well on both ends of the floor.
Both teams missed many shots offensively, but Fenerbahce ended the first quarter in front by six (19-13), with Luigi Datome coming off the bench and scoring five points.
Later, the Turks extended their lead to double digits (32-20), with Jan Vesely being dominant inside the paint and Datome keep scoring (12 points, on 5 of 6 shooting). Zalgiris reacted, though, and cut the deficit to six after 20 minutes in the game (39-33), behind a 7-13 run.
Kostas Sloukas and Brad Wanamaker helped their team run an 11-4 run to bring their lead back to double digits, 50-37.
Zalgiris enhanced their overall performance, though, and scored 11 straight points to cut the deficit to just two, 50-48, with the third quarter ending with Fenerbahce in front by four (54-50), thanks to Bobby Dixon’s two-pointer at the buzzer.
Dixon was a game changer for the defending champions and his two straight three pointers brought their lead back to double digits again (62-52).
The Lithuanians cut the deficit to six (66-60), but Dixon was tremendous and sealed the deal for the Turks, who qualified to the Championship Game for a third straight year.
