BADGER'S BRING DOWN THE
GOLDEN EAGLES IN OVERTIME
by Rick Pike

Hoopes' Free Throws Critical in Snow Victory

EPHRAIM, UTAH-March 3, 2006-For the second straight Friday night, a Badger found himself shooting free throws with seconds remaining and a basketball game in the balance. Chris Hoopes resolutely hit two free throws with twenty seconds remaining in overtime to lead Snow to a 70-68 victory over the College of Southern Idaho. Mike Clark downed Dixie with two freebies one week ago in St. George.

Hoopes' free throws gave Snow a 68-65 lead. The Golden Eagles in bounded the ball, crossed half court and attempted a pass to the wing for a three-point attempt. Geoff Payne read the play, intercepted the pass and raced to the other end for a resounding dunk with five seconds to play. Southern Idaho scored a meaningless three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

"I'm tickled to death for these guys. They've hung in there, had the right attitude and demonstrated great character," remarked Roger Reid, Snow's head coach. "It's big to have the thrill of beating a basketball team this good."

The Golden Eagles are atop the Scenic West Athletic Conference and came to Ephraim with a 26-6 record - 13-3 in league play. Southern Idaho is ranked 20th in the NJCAA poll this week.

Snow dominated in the early going and led 32-30 at halftime after weathering a furious first half rally by Southern Idaho. The Badgers used a 12-3 run to lead 21-9 early on; but the Golden Eagles, led by 11 straight points from Derek Lorenzen, used a 16-2 run to grab a 28-27. Geoff Payne scored four points in the final minutes to give Snow the halftime lead.

The second half was a back and forth affair including six lead changes and five ties. Southern Idaho opened up their biggest lead of the game at 42-38 with 12 minutes remaining. Enter Wes Berge, a Badger freshman who sees limited playing time behind Dante Green. Berge scored all five of his points in the next few minutes and Snow had a 48-44 lead. Berge's best was a three-pointer along the baseline as the shot clock wound down.

"Wes was tremendous. The shots were big but it was his defense that helped us win the game tonight," said Reid. "He hasn't seen a lot of time this year but I've told him, and all of our guys on the bench, to 'keep your attitudes up because one of these times you'll help us win a game.' Wes did that tonight."

In a Nutshell…

Turning Point - Jake Peterson throws a ¾ court pass to Geoff Payne for bucket that gave Snow a 66-65 lead with two minutes left in overtime Play Of The Game – Chris Hoopes rebounds a Badger miss with :20 remaining, is fouled and hits two free throws for 68-65 lead Player Of The Game – Chris Hoopes with 14 points, 11 rebounds and terrific post defense Sub Of The Game – Wes Berge with five points, three rebounds and an assist in 18 minutes Snows Biggest Lead – 23-9 in first half Jaw Dropper – CSI alleyoop to Travis Gabbidon to open the game Statistic Of The Game –Badger's hold CSI to 34% from the field

Snow held the Golden Eagles to 34% shooting. The league leaders had very few easy looks inside despite a significant height and weight advantage and seemed content to cast away from three-point range where they finished 11-27.

The Badgers had a five-point lead with four minutes remaining when Mike Clark drained a baseline three. Southern Idaho countered with a three. Then came what could have been the play of the game. Payne took a pass from Peterson and attempted to dunk over an Eagle with two minutes on the clock. He missed the dunk, disappointing a crowd on the edge of their seats and the Golden Eagles tied the game at the other end.

Southern Idaho took a 62-60 lead with one minute left in regulation. Snow tied the game with 25 seconds remaining when Chris Hoopes found Payne for a lay-up. The Badgers weathered two Golden Eagles misses - both wild, to force overtime.

In overtime, the Badgers took the lead for good when Jake Peterson threw a three-quarter-court lob to Payne for a lay-up and a 66-65 lead with two minutes remaining. Neither team scored until Hoopes grabbed a Clark miss and was fouled in the final seconds.

"Hoopes was huge for us tonight. He was out-manned by about a foot and yet he hung in there. I thought his defense and rebounding and of course the free throws were huge," exclaimed Reid.
"My guy just kept saying 'too small, too small' to me but I just played. We just tried to keep them away from the basket," said Hoopes.

Hoopes finished with 14 points and a game high 11 rebounds. Payne had a game high 32 points and 10 rebounds and Clark scored 13.

Snow climbs to 6-11 in conference play while Southern Idaho falls to 13-4. The teams finish the regular season against one another Saturday in Ephraim.