Alimpijević vs. Barać: The Derby Goes to Game 5! Beşiktaş Breaks Back, Hale Misses Final Shot!

The showdown between Dušan Alimpijević and Marko Barać is set for a decisive fifth game in this semifinal series, as Bahçeşehir failed to capitalize on their match point at home to secure a spot in the final.

In a do-or-die contest, Beşiktaş maintained a lead for virtually the entire game, holding an 11-point advantage at halftime (42:31). Early in the third quarter, the score stood at 47:33 in favor of the Black Eagles.

The home team mounted a 13-3 run to get back into the game, narrowing the deficit to two possessions (50:46). However, Alimpijević's squad fended off the surge, entering the final quarter with an eight-point lead, 59:51.

With seven minutes remaining, Beşiktaş extended their lead back to a maximum of 14 points (67:53) thanks to two three-pointers from Matt Thomas. But then, Bahçeşehir responded with a 13-0 run, completely re-entering the contest and closing to within a single point (67:66) with three and a half minutes left.

A dramatic finish ensued. Brinton Lemar and Anthony Brown's free throws pushed Beşiktaş to a two-possession lead (72:68). Malachi Flynn then hit a three-pointer with 12 seconds left, keeping the home team's hopes alive. The drama peaked when Lemar made only one of two free throws on the other end, followed by Flynn being fouled with 3.8 seconds remaining.

The prolific scorer had a chance to force overtime from the free-throw line for the hosts, but after missing his first attempt, he intentionally missed the second. The ball then found its way back to Flynn, but Hunter Hale's shot for the win and Bahçeşehir's place in the final, taken from the left corner, missed!

Anthony Brown led the winners with 16 points, supported by Brinton Lemar with 14, while Jonah Mathews added 13 points. Conor Morgan also reached double figures with ten points.

For Bahçeşehir, Tyler Cavanaugh scored 14 points, with Furkan Haltali and Malachi Flynn each contributing 13. Hunter Hale finished with 11 points.

VIDEO: Bourg breaks Beşiktaş at the buzzer, then the court disappears under a sea of fans