PRIZREN, Ukraine (Interstat) — Bashkimi will put its unbeaten start on the line when it hosts Trepca Mitrovice on Saturday at Sezair Surroi. Bashkimi enters the matchup 2-0, while Trepca Mitrovice is 1-1. The game will be played at Sezair Surroi.

Bashkimi has opened the season with two double-digit victories. The home side most recently won 100-84 at Rahoveci after opening with a 96-60 home win over Ylli. Lejson Zekiri, Shannon Shorter and Arian Azemi were listed among Bashkimi’s most productive players in the Rahoveci victory. Bashkimi will look to keep that scoring pace at home.

Trepca Mitrovice began the season with a 106-101 road win at Rahoveci before dropping its most recent game at home to Peja 87-81. In that loss, Drilon Hajrizi finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes. Dardan Kapiti added 15 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes, while Jacori Payne had 14 points, three rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes.

Hajrizi is the player to watch for Trepca Mitrovice. He was the team’s most productive player in the loss to Peja, and his all-around line kept Trepca Mitrovice within reach. His ability to score and rebound will be important against a Bashkimi team that has started fast.

Bashkimi’s early results have featured balanced production. The team scored 96 points in its first game and followed with 100 points on the road. Trepca Mitrovice has shown it can score as well, with 106 points in its opening victory, but the team managed 81 points in its second game.

The matchup at Sezair Surroi will pit Bashkimi’s 2-0 start against a Trepca Mitrovice side seeking to avoid a second straight loss. Bashkimi has yet to lose, while Trepca Mitrovice split its first two contests. Trepca Mitrovice will lean on Hajrizi and its supporting scorers as it tries to hand Bashkimi its first defeat. The meeting features two teams that have already shown scoring ability in the early season. The game is part of the early-season schedule for both clubs.

Bashkimi’s schedule ahead includes games against Valmiera and Bora at home, followed by road contests at Manchester, AEL Limassol and Kalev-Cramo. Bashkimi also is set to host Peja and Chalon-Sur-Saone and will travel to Vellaznimi, Korfez Basket and Ylli. Trepca Mitrovice is set to host Promitheas Patras, Vellaznimi, Opava and Ylli before road games at Split, Bora, Batumi-RSU, AEL Limassol and Trier. The teams will continue their seasons with domestic and international matchups in the coming weeks.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Bashkimi 88, Trepca Mitrovice 79.