VERONA, Italy (Interstat) — Alpo and Empoli meet Sunday in a pivotal Italy A2 women’s professional basketball game at Verona, with the hosts holding a slim one-game edge in the standings.

Alpo (21-8 overall) enters the 3 p.m. local tipoff on a split of its last two games, having lost 66-61 at Empoli on April 29 before beating Selargius 58-55 at home on April 18. Empoli (20-9) rebounded from that same April 25 loss to Alpo — a 76-55 defeat on the road — by winning the rematch Wednesday, 66-61 at home.

The two teams have split their season series 1-1, each winning on its home floor. Alpo’s 21-point victory on April 25 was its most lopsided win of the year, while Empoli’s five-point win Wednesday was decided in the final minutes.

Alpo center Serena Soglia has been a key factor in the rivalry. In the April 29 loss, she logged 36 minutes, scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Two days earlier, in the 76-55 win, she had 10 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes. Over her last five games, Soglia is averaging 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Empoli guard Sophia Lussignoli has been consistent against Alpo. She scored 13 points in both meetings, with three rebounds in the win and one rebound in the loss. In her last five games overall, she has averaged 10.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

Alpo’s other top performers in the April 29 game included forward Francesca Parmesani (16 points, eight rebounds) and point guard Carlotta Rainis (nine points, two rebounds, one assist). For Empoli in that game, small forward Anna Rylichova contributed nine points, seven rebounds and two assists, while center Laura Manetti added eight points, six rebounds, two assists and one block.

Empoli has won four of its last five, with the only blemish being the April 25 loss to Alpo. Alpo is 4-1 in its last five, the lone defeat coming Wednesday.

Sunday’s game marks the third meeting in 10 days between the two clubs. The winner will seize sole possession of the series lead and gain a crucial tiebreaker advantage as the regular season winds down.

The Italy A2 league features 12 teams, with the top eight advancing to the postseason. Both Empoli and Alpo are currently in playoff position.