SPLIT (Interstat) — Batumi-RSU will look to halt a difficult stretch and Split will try to protect home court when the teams meet Wednesday at Arena Gripe in Split, Croatia. Batumi-RSU enters at 3-6, while Split is 6-4. The matchup features two players capable of carrying significant scoring loads in Batumi-RSU guard Giorgi Ochkhikidze and Split forward Darko Bajo.

Batumi-RSU has dropped six of nine to open the season, including a 91-70 home loss to Trepca Mitrovice in its most recent outing. Ochkhikidze produced 21 points, three rebounds and four assists in that game, while Saba Saladze added 12 points and five rebounds and Warren Mouganda scored 13. Ochkhikidze has been a steady offensive presence, scoring 30 points against CIU, 21 points at Akhaltsikhe, 17 points and five rebounds at Promitheas Patras, and 18 points and eight assists at Trier. He also had 16 points against Opava. Batumi-RSU will need production around him to keep pace on the road.

Split has won three of its last seven and is coming off a 93-81 overtime loss to Cibona. Bajo finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in that defeat, while Nick Johnson scored 16 and Vito Kucic added 19. Bajo has reached double figures in four of his last seven appearances, including 14 points against Cibona and 11 against Zadar. He had nine points and three rebounds at Alkar, six points and four rebounds against Promitheas Patras, and 14 points and four rebounds at Dubrava. Bajo also had 10 points at Trier, two points and two rebounds against Trepca, and five points and four rebounds at Opava. Split’s 88-82 home win over Promitheas Patras was among its better recent performances.

Batumi-RSU has shown some road resilience, including a 75-70 win at Akhaltsikhe and an 86-85 victory at Fribourg Olympic. Split has been stronger at home, with wins over Promitheas Patras, Kvarner 2010 and Dubrovnik. Split also owns road wins over Alkar and Opava. Batumi-RSU’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against TSU after this matchup. The home side will aim to control tempo and use Bajo inside while Batumi-RSU leans on Ochkhikidze’s shot creation. The game is expected to feature contrasting records but a potentially competitive backcourt matchup.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Split to defeat Batumi-RSU by a final score of 91-84. The projection favors the home team at Arena Gripe, with Split’s recent home form and balanced scoring giving it an edge against a Batumi-RSU side still searching for consistency. The simulator’s final score places Split in the low 90s and Batumi-RSU in the mid-80s.