AKHALTSIKHE, Georgia (Interstat) — Akhaltsikhe will open its season Saturday when it hosts Batumi-RSU in a basketball matchup. Akhaltsikhe enters with a 0-0 record, while Batumi-RSU is 2-2. The game will mark Akhaltsikhe’s first appearance of the season and a chance to begin its schedule at home. The matchup will be the first between the teams this season.

Batumi-RSU comes in after a 92-59 loss at Trier. Giorgi Ochkhikidze led Batumi-RSU with 18 points, four rebounds and eight assists in 32 minutes. Carson Basham added 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Larry Howell scored 14 points. Batumi-RSU’s most recent win came against Kutaisi, 80-77, and it also has a road win at Fribourg Olympic, 86-85. Its other loss was to CSM Oradea, 93-77. The team has split its first four games and will look to move above .500. Batumi-RSU has scored at least 80 points in two of its four games and has allowed at least 90 points in two losses.

Ochkhikidze is the player to watch for Batumi-RSU. He has been productive across his recent appearances, scoring 18 points with eight assists in the loss at Trier. Before that, he had 23 points, four rebounds and seven assists against Kutaisi, 22 points, three rebounds and eight assists against CSM Oradea, and 17 points, two rebounds and 10 assists at Fribourg Olympic. He has reached double figures in scoring in each of those games and has handed out at least seven assists in each.

Akhaltsikhe will look to counter with a fresh roster and home-court advantage. The team has not yet played this season, so its rotation and early form remain to be seen. A strong start at home could set the tone for its upcoming schedule. Akhaltsikhe is set to visit CIU and TSU, host Iverioni, VSA, Rustavi and Black Fortress, and travel to Orbi, Margveti and Kutaisi in future games.

Batumi-RSU’s upcoming slate includes home games against Opava, CIU, Trepca Mitrovice, Split, TSU, Trier and Orbi, along with road contests at Promitheas Patras, VSA and Rustavi. The team will try to build consistency after splitting its first four games. A road result Saturday would give Batumi-RSU momentum before returning home. The schedule ahead includes several home dates and a handful of road trips.

Akhaltsikhe will rely on its home setting and season debut. Batumi-RSU will lean on Ochkhikidze, Basham and Howell to carry the offensive load. The matchup is expected to test Batumi-RSU’s defense against an opponent eager to open with a win.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Akhaltsikhe to defeat Batumi-RSU 88-81.