Fenerbahçe wins seventh straight league title

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

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Fenerbahçe claimed its seventh Women’s Basketball League title in a row after a dramatic comeback victory against archrival Galatasaray Medical Park on April 19.

The Yellow Canaries closed the best-of-five series with three wins to one, thanks to a memorable 96-86 win at Galatasaray Medical Park’s home court, the Abdi İpekçi Arena.

Fenerbahçe was trailing Galatasaray by 10 points coming into the last quarter and outlasted its rival thanks to a dazzling 34-14 fourth-period run.

Cappie Pondexter scored 29 points and Angel McCoughtry added 24 points for Fenerbahçe, while Galatasaray Medical Park star Diana Taurasi’s 32 points were not enough for the victory.

The win meant Fenerbahçe’s seventh league title in a row, taking their title total to 10. Galatasaray leads the overall standings with 11 titles, but has not been able to win the league since the 1999-2000 season.
 
Fenerbahçe coach Georgios Dikaioulakos praised his players after the game. “My players showed incredible character. I am proud to have a group of such great players,” Dikaioulakos was quoted as saying on the official Basketball Federation website. “I am also proud to have made my mark in the Fenerbahçe history.”

Fenerbahçe manager Didem Akın underlined the importance of consistency in their squad. “Our rival has made a big investment in its squad and has purchased many important players. But we have a solid squad and a system that has been going on for years.” “Our victories are not coincidental,” Akın said.