Goztepe 73, Kahramanmaras 72 — Goztepe opened their Turkish Basketball First League campaign with a dramatic one-point home win over Kahramanmaras on September 12, 2026. In a game that tipped off at 21:00 local time, neither team could build a comfortable lead, and the outcome was decided on the final possession as Goztepe’s defense held firm for a 73-72 victory.

Match Overview

The opening quarter set the tone for a tense, physical contest. Goztepe led 18-16 after the first 10 minutes, using aggressive perimeter pressure to disrupt Kahramanmaras’s half-court sets. The visitors adjusted in the second quarter, attacking the basket and drawing fouls, and they took a 36-35 lead into halftime.

Goztepe regained control in the third quarter, outscoring Kahramanmaras 21-18 to carry a 56-54 advantage into the final period. The fourth quarter featured multiple lead changes, but Goztepe made the smarter plays in the closing minutes to secure the win.

• First quarter: Goztepe 18, Kahramanmaras 16
• Second quarter: Kahramanmaras 20, Goztepe 17
• Third quarter: Goztepe 21, Kahramanmaras 18
• Fourth quarter: Kahramanmaras 18, Goztepe 17
• Final: Goztepe 73, Kahramanmaras 72

Key Moments

With just over a minute remaining, Kahramanmaras tied the game at 71-71 on a second-chance layup. Goztepe responded with a patient possession, drew a foul, and made one of two free throws to move ahead 72-71. After a critical defensive stop, the hosts added another free throw with 12 seconds left.

Kahramanmaras had one last look from beyond the arc, but the attempt rimmed out. Goztepe secured the rebound and ran out the clock, sealing a hard-fought victory in front of their home crowd.

Tactical Story

Goztepe’s half-court defense was the difference. They alternated between man-to-man pressure and a compact 2-3 zone, forcing Kahramanmaras into contested jump shots. Offensively, Goztepe relied on high pick-and-roll actions and dribble penetration, which generated open corner three-pointers and trips to the free-throw line.

Kahramanmaras won the rebounding battle and scored well in the paint, but costly turnovers in the fourth quarter prevented them from closing out the game. Their late-game execution will be a point of emphasis going forward.

Standout Players

Goztepe’s starting point guard controlled the tempo and finished with a team-high 18 points and 6 assists. Their power forward added 14 points and 9 rebounds, while the center anchored the paint with 3 blocks. For Kahramanmaras, the shooting guard kept them in contention with 22 points, including four three-pointers, and the point guard chipped in 12 points and 7 assists.

Season Impact

With the win, Goztepe starts the Turkish Basketball First League season 1-0, while Kahramanmaras falls to 0-1. The result could prove important in the playoff race, as both teams are expected to compete for a spot in the upper half of the standings. Goztepe will look to build on their defensive identity in the next round, while Kahramanmaras will focus on late-game execution.