ISTANBUL (Interstat) — Istanbul Utku will seek its first win of the women’s professional basketball season Saturday when it hosts Konya Basket. Istanbul Utku enters the game with an 0-1 record. Konya Basket enters with an 0-0 record. The contest will be Konya Basket’s season opener and Istanbul Utku’s second game of the campaign. Istanbul Utku will try to use its home court to level its record, while Konya Basket will aim to begin the season with a road victory.

Istanbul Utku most recently fell 51-59 at Gallardo Spor Kulubu. Sule Aktas was one of the team’s most productive players, finishing with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists in 35 minutes. Hande Celebi added 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 24 minutes. Janai Robertson contributed 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 38 minutes.

Aktas is the player to watch for Istanbul Utku. In the Gallardo Spor Kulubu game, she recorded 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists over 35 minutes. Her rebounding and overall play will be important as Istanbul Utku tries to bounce back at home. Konya Basket will open its season on the road and look to build momentum early. The visiting team will aim to control the pace and start its schedule on a positive note.

After Saturday, Konya Basket is scheduled to visit Burhaniye, then host Gallardo Spor Kulubu. Konya Basket also has upcoming games at Kirklareli, at Emlak Konut Gelisim 2, against Bodrum, at Fenerbahce 2, against Mersin, at TED Ankara and at Darica Basketbol Feneri before hosting Istanbul Utku later in the season. Istanbul Utku’s schedule after Saturday includes a trip to Emlak Konut Gelisim 2, a home game against Bodrum, a visit to Fenerbahce 2, a home game against Mersin, a trip to TED Ankara, a home game against Darica Basketbol Feneri, a home game against Kirklareli, a home game against Burhaniye and a home game against Gallardo Spor Kulubu before it travels to Konya Basket later in the season.

The matchup will be the first meeting between the teams this season. Istanbul Utku will look to get into the win column, while Konya Basket will try to make a strong first impression. The home team will look to use familiar surroundings, and the visitors will try to adjust to playing on the road. Both teams will continue their schedules after Saturday, with Konya Basket and Istanbul Utku set to meet again later in the season at Konya Basket.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Konya Basket 84, Istanbul Utku 54.