TORUŃ, Poland (Interstat) — Astoria Bydgoszcz will try to move above .500 when it visits Pierniki Toruń on Friday at Spozywczak in Toruń, Poland. Astoria Bydgoszcz enters 1-1, while Pierniki Toruń is 0-2 and still seeking its first victory of the season. Astoria Bydgoszcz has scored 179 points and allowed 170 points through two games, while Pierniki Toruń has scored 168 points and allowed 191.

Astoria Bydgoszcz opened the season with a 105-95 home win over Stelmet Zielona Gora before falling 75-74 to GTK Gliwice in its most recent game. Jalen Thomas produced 7 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and three blocks in the loss. Jayden Taylor scored 18 points with six rebounds and three assists, and Kacper Klaczek added 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Astoria Bydgoszcz will look to bounce back after the narrow defeat and find more consistency on the road.

Thomas is a player to watch for Astoria Bydgoszcz. He had 12 points and six rebounds in the win over Stelmet Zielona Gora, then followed with 7 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against GTK Gliwice. His rebounding and shot-blocking give Astoria Bydgoszcz an interior presence, while Taylor and Klaczek provide support on the perimeter and in transition.

Pierniki Toruń has dropped its first two games. The team fell 87-83 at Dabrowa Gornicza in its most recent contest. Luka Sakota led the way with 23 points, four rebounds and nine assists. Damian Kulig added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Raymond Cowels scored 17 points. In its previous game, Pierniki Toruń lost 104-85 at home to Szczecin. Sakota scored 27 points with four rebounds and two assists in that defeat. Pierniki Toruń will need a stronger defensive effort as it returns home.

Sakota is the player to watch for Pierniki Toruń. He has scored 23 and 27 points in his last two games, showing the ability to create for himself and others. Pierniki Toruń will need that production to counter Astoria Bydgoszcz’s balanced attack. The home team is still seeking its first win of the season and will rely on Sakota, Kulig and Cowels to carry the offensive load.

Astoria Bydgoszcz will play its next game at Slask Wroclaw. It will then visit Trefl Sopot before returning home to face TBV Start Lublin. Pierniki Toruń will next visit GTK Gliwice. It will then host Stelmet Zielona Gora and Trefl Sopot. Both teams are looking to establish momentum in the early part of the season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Pierniki Toruń to win 83-76. Pierniki Toruń has been installed as a 4.5-point favorite, and the over-under is 178.5.