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Beşiktaş men's basketball team lost 81-73 at home to Greek side Olympiakos in week 8 of the EuroLeague. The Istanbul team trailed for most of the game but took a brief lead in the fourth quarter before Olympiakos pulled away.

The defeat was Beşiktaş's fifth in eight games in its second appearance in Europe's top club competition. Olympiakos, the reigning champion, picked up its sixth win.

Early Olympiakos surge, Beşiktaş recovery

Beşiktaş opened the scoring through Nowell and moved ahead 6-0 before the first minute was up. Olympiakos then imposed itself with a 15-0 run, going up 15-6 in the fifth minute to build a nine-point cushion.

Backed by the home crowd, Beşiktaş cut the gap to two points at 23-25 on a three-pointer from Dejulius with 51 seconds left in the period. Neither side converted on its next possession and the quarter ended at that score.

Olympiakos takes control after halftime

A three-pointer from Wilbekin tied the game at 25-25 at the start of the second quarter. Beşiktaş defended well and moved in front 28-27 late in the 13th minute, but Olympiakos finished the half stronger and went to the break leading 42-36.

Beşiktaş struggled defensively after the interval and could not stop the deficit from reaching double digits at 39-50 in the 24th minute. Morgan brought the home side back within five points at 53-58 in the 28th minute, and Omoruyi made three free throws with one second remaining to send Beşiktaş into the final quarter down 58-61.

Late lead slips away

Beşiktaş twice pulled within one point early in the fourth period and finally passed Olympiakos on a Nowell basket in the 34th minute, going up 68-66. Two careless turnovers followed, and the home team fell behind again in the 35th minute and lost its rhythm.

Olympiakos kept the advantage the rest of the way and left the floor with an 81-73 victory.

Top scorers and the road ahead

Nowell scored 15 points for Beşiktaş, with Morgan adding 11 and Metecan Birsen 10, but their contributions were not enough to prevent the loss. For Olympiakos, Vezenkov led the way with 16 points, Jones had 15 and Hall scored 14.

Beşiktaş is competing in the competition for the second time and has now lost five of its eight games. The team travels to face Italian side Virtus Bologna away on Friday, October 30, in a double-game week.

Ataman watches from courtside

Ergin Ataman, head coach of the Turkish men's national team, attended the game in person and watched from courtside at the Turkcell BGM.

Former Beşiktaş football players Mehmet Özdilek and Pascal Nouma were also in the arena to watch the match.

Key takeaways

• Olympiakos beat Beşiktaş 81-73 at home in EuroLeague week 8
• Beşiktaş led 68-66 in the fourth quarter before turnovers swung the game
• Nowell scored 15 points for Beşiktaş; Vezenkov led Olympiakos with 16
• Beşiktaş's next game is away at Virtus Bologna on Friday, October 30