Eagles win basketball derby

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

David Hawkins’ 21 points lead Beşiktaş Milangaz past its archrival Galatasaray Medical Park 73-65 in the big game of the 10th round of the Beko Basketball League on Dec. 17.

Hawkins was especially lethal behind the three-point line, hitting three-for-five. The guard also added six assists and four rebounds to his tally.

Zoran Erceg added 17 points while Can Akın had 14 points and five assists.

Playing only his third game for Beşiktaş, Pops Mensah Bonsu had 12 points and 10 rebounds, showing that he would be a positive replacement for Turkish center Semih Erden, who was signed by the club during the NBA lockout. Erden returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the new season.

The real problem of Beşiktaş Milangaz would be replacing Deron Williams, who led the team through an almost perfect period during his time in Turkey. Williams returned to play for the New Jersey Nets, and Beşiktaş coach Ergin Ataman was quoted by the Turkish media that the team will sign a “very very good player” next week.

Beşiktaş jumped to the top of the league with the win, thanks to an 8-2 winning record. Istanbul rivals Fenerbahçe Ülker and Galatasaray Medical Park also have eight wins from 10 matches.

However, Anadolu Efes, whose match with Antalya BB was still in progress as the Hürriyet Daily News went to press yesterday, could reclaim the league lead, since it had only one defeat in nine matches.