LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (Interstat) — Ilirija will host Spartak Subotica on Saturday at GIB Sports Hall in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in a matchup of teams looking to build early-season momentum. Ilirija enters at 2-2, while Spartak Subotica is 1-1.

Spartak Subotica will look to Jalon Pipkins, who has been its most productive perimeter player. In his most recent outing, Pipkins played 27 minutes and finished with 18 points, one rebound and four assists in a 96-64 win over Vechta. Alen Omic added seven points, 13 rebounds and one assist, while Dalibor Ilic contributed 11 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Pipkins’ 18-point effort was part of a balanced Spartak Subotica attack. The win followed a 95-79 home loss to Bosna.

Ilirija counters with Stefan Todorovic, a steady scoring and playmaking option. Todorovic played 33 minutes in the team’s most recent game, an 83-82 loss to Krka, and recorded 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Cameron Shelton added 17 points, four rebounds and six assists, and Edo Muric had 11 points, three rebounds and one assist. Earlier, Todorovic scored 18 points with two rebounds and two assists in an 89-79 win at Triglav, and he had 12 points, two rebounds and five assists in an 86-59 win over Velika Gorica. Todorovic has been a consistent presence in the backcourt.

Ilirija’s 2-2 record includes a 70-85 loss to Dubai, the win at Triglav, the win over Velika Gorica and the narrow loss to Krka. Spartak Subotica’s 1-1 mark features the loss to Bosna and the bounce-back win against Vechta. Both teams will rely on balance around their top scorers. Spartak Subotica will need production from its frontcourt and secondary creators to complement Pipkins. Ilirija will look to Todorovic to initiate offense, with Shelton and Muric providing support. The home floor at GIB Sports Hall could be a factor as Ilirija tries to move above .500 and Spartak Subotica seeks a second win.

After this game, Spartak Subotica’s schedule includes home games against Hapoel Holon, Cluj-Napoca and Partizan, plus road contests at Cholet Basket and Mega Basket. Spartak Subotica’s upcoming opponents also include Zadar, Vienna and Dubai. Ilirija’s upcoming slate includes a road game at Zlatorog, home games against Mega Basket and Sencur, and a road trip to Zadar. Ilirija’s coming games also include Helios, Studentski Centar, Rogaska Crystal, Vienna, Sencur CP Kranj and Cluj-Napoca. Those games will give both clubs chances to shape their early-season positioning.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Ilirija 88, Spartak Subotica 81.