ESSEN (Interstat) — OrangeAcademy will visit Essen in a basketball game on Saturday at Sportpark Am Hallo. OrangeAcademy enters with a 3-4 record, while Essen is 1-6. The matchup gives OrangeAcademy a chance to bounce back from a narrow home loss and gives Essen an opportunity to end a difficult stretch.

OrangeAcademy’s most recent result was an 84-81 home loss to Köln. In earlier games, OrangeAcademy won 84-78 at home against Crailsheim, earned a 100-89 road win at Bayreuth, lost 83-71 at Paderborn, fell 84-68 at home to Heidelberg, lost 94-85 at home to Kirchheim and won 93-92 at Bremerhaven. The visiting side has reached the century mark once this season and has been involved in several games decided by single digits or late possessions.

Essen’s latest outing was a 103-91 loss at Wolmirstedt. Essen also lost 103-99 at home to Kirchheim, fell 97-94 at Bremerhaven, beat PS Karlsruhe 95-86 in overtime at home, lost 91-85 at home to Köln, lost 118-74 at Heidelberg and dropped an 81-67 home decision to Crailsheim. Essen’s lone win came in the overtime result against PS Karlsruhe, and the team has faced several high-scoring opponents during its early schedule.

The game is set for Sportpark Am Hallo, where Essen will try to use the home setting to build momentum. OrangeAcademy will look to improve its road mark and carry its recent scoring form into the visit. Both teams have played close games this season, and the contest could hinge on which side controls the pace and limits turnovers over four quarters. OrangeAcademy is seeking its fourth win of the season, while Essen is seeking its second.

After this game, OrangeAcademy is scheduled to host Tubingen, visit PS Karlsruhe, host Koblenz, visit Nürnberger BC, host Artland, visit Gottingen, host Giessen, visit Bochum, host Wolmirstedt and visit Tubingen. Essen is scheduled to visit Gottingen, host Giessen, visit Tubingen, visit Bochum, host Nürnberger BC, visit Koblenz, host Paderborn, visit Bayreuth, host Artland and visit Giessen.

OrangeAcademy will be the visiting team, and Essen will be the home team. The contest is part of the regular-season schedule. OrangeAcademy has played seven games, and Essen has played seven games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Essen 54, OrangeAcademy 53. Interstat’s ELO system gives Essen a 75.8 percent probability to win. The over/under is 177.