Preview: Athinaikos Looks for Revenge Against Mersin in Turkey B Clash

MERSIN, Turkey (Interstat) — A swift rematch awaits in Turkey B women’s professional basketball on Thursday as Athinaikos visits Mersin just one week after a narrow defeat.

The teams last met on April 2, with host Athinaikos falling 85-80. Mersin’s Kennedy Burke scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory, while Athinaikos’ Kristine Anigwe posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.

That result extended Mersin’s overall record to 24-13 across all competitions. Despite recent losses to powerhouse Fenerbahce, Mersin has shown offensive firepower, including a 99-95 road win over Besiktas on March 21 where Burke had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Athinaikos, holding an 11-4 record, will aim to bounce back from that sole recent blemish. Prior to last week’s loss, the team had won four of its previous five contests, including notable victories over Spanish side Avenida and Hungarian club Sopron.

Player matchups will be critical. Burke, averaging 17.3 points over her last four games, is Mersin’s primary offensive catalyst. For Athinaikos, Anigwe’s interior presence is key. Support from guards like Robyn Parks, who scored 17 against Mersin last week, and Pinelopi Pavlopoulou will be necessary to counter Mersin’s backcourt of Burke and point guard Lindsay Allen, who dished six assists in the previous meeting.

The game tips off Thursday at Mersin’s home court. With the season series tied 1-0 in Mersin’s favor, Athinaikos seeks both revenge and a crucial road victory to bolster its standing.