RIO DE JANEIRO (Interstat) — A surging UNICEUB squad will face its toughest test of the young NBB season on Thursday when it visits the powerhouse Flamengo at HSBC Arena.

UNICEUB (6-2) enters the contest on a two-game winning streak, including a 79-65 victory over Cruzeiro last Friday. In that game, Rafael Paulichi recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Facundo Corvalan added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.

They will be met by a Flamengo (11-2) team that has established itself as a dominant force. The home team is riding a seven-game winning streak in all competitions, most recently edging Paulistano 82-80 on Saturday. Flamengo’s offense has been potent, fueled by the scoring of Alex Negrete (20 points) and the inside presence of Wesley Ferreira (18 points, 9 rebounds) in their last outing.

The matchup pits UNICEUB’s balanced attack against a Flamengo team that has consistently put up high scores, including a 101-point performance against Pato Basquete earlier this month. Flamengo’s record and recent form make them the heavy favorite, but UNICEUB has shown resilience, with five of its six wins coming by 10 points or fewer.

The game is scheduled for Thursday night in Rio de Janeiro.