Anadolu Efes gives Real Madrid their first defeat in Euroleague top 16

ISTANBUL

With the victory Anadolu Efes has stolen the first place in the Group E to their rivals of the day, Real Madrid. AA photo

Turkish side Anadolu Efes had its sixth straight win in the Euroleague top 16, defeating their yet-to-be beaten Spanish rivals Real Madrid 74-72 on Feb. 16 in Istanbul. With this win Efes has stolen the first place in the Group E, sharing the same 6-1 record as their rivals of the day, Real Madrid. The Turkish side now has a good chance of reaching the playoff stage, with seven more games to go.

Efes took the lead right in the first quarter and increased the gap to 46-36 at the end of the first half. Real Madrid dominated the third quarter thanks to a strong defense and narrowed the score in the last minutes of the game. Nevertheless the Spanish side's late efforts were not enough to reverse the score and Efes held on with the cheers of its supporters at the thrilling end of the game.

American playmaker Jamon Lucas led his Efes with 16 points and 5 assists. Serbian Dusko Savanovic scored 13 points while former NBA talent Jordan Farmar clinched 10 points.

Spanish star Rudy Fernandez scored 14 points for the visitors, as Jaycee Caroll and Felipe Reyes each contributed with 11 points.

Efes Anadolu will host Feb. 22 Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, the only team that defeated the Istanbul side in the top 16 stage.