SNOW LOSES A
THRILLER TO NORTH IDAHO
by Rick Pike

Payne Punishes Cardinals with 41 points in Losing Effort

EPHRAIM, UTAH-January 7, 2006-You really had to be there to feel the Badgers’ pain and to see the Badger’s Payne Friday night. Snow College lost a gut-wrenching game to North Idaho 88-82 despite 41 points by freshman Geoff Payne.

The Badgers can take pleasure and pain from the numbers. Snow shot 51% to North Idaho’s 44%, out-rebounded the Cardinals 32–21 and had 22 assists to North Idaho’s 10. There were awe-inspiring moments including a jaw-dropping bounce pass from Bowie Jeffs to Payne for a dunk over two Cardinals and a 65-60 lead mid-way through the second half. There were hustle plays by both teams throughout the game – none better than Dante Green diving for and tipping a lose ball to Mike Clark who found Tyler Quinney for a lay-up and a two-point Badger lead with four minutes remaining.

In a Nutshell…

Turning Point – Cardinals 8-0 run to start the second half due to three Badger turnovers 10 Ties in the game and 7 lead changes in the second half Snow’s biggest lead – 11 points (37-26) North Idaho’s biggest lead – 6 points (88-82) Hustle Play – Green tips loose ball to M. Clark who finds Quinney for lay-up Jaw-Dropper – Jeffs bounce pass to Payne for slam dunk over two Cardinals Player of the Game – Geoff Payne with 41 points and 9 rebounds

So what’s the Badger pain? Turnovers. Turnovers and the fact that a terrific effort goes unrewarded for a young Badger squad in need of a league victory.

“We had three turnovers late in the first half to give them (North Idaho) new life and then we began the second half committing three turnovers in a row,” said Roger Reid, Snow’s head coach. “We’ve got to have the character and discipline to make good decisions at critical times.”

Snow’s biggest lead of the game was 11 points (37-26) late in the first half. Three Badger turnovers allowed North Idaho to close within four points but a Mike Clark lay-up gave Snow a 41-35 halftime lead. The Cardinals scored the first basket of the second half and then scored off of three straight Badger turnovers to complete an 8-0 run and grab a 43-41 lead three minutes into the second half. It was the Cardinals first lead of the game but it wouldn’t be their last.

There were seven lead changes in the second half and 10 ties in the game – six in the second half. The game may have been decided over a 30 second period at the three-minute mark. Snow led 73-71 and forced North Idaho into a bad shot. Quinney and Payne fought each other for an easy rebound that fortuitously bounced to a Cardinal behind the three-point line who drained a three-pointer for a 74-73 lead.

Snow committed a turnover on the ensuing possession and gave up another three-point-play – fouling a player on an easy lay-up – and North Idaho had a 77-73 lead. The Badgers cut the lead to two at 84-82; but after a Cardinal free throw made it 85-82, Jeffs missed a wide open three with 30 seconds remaining.

Several Badgers contributed, none more than Payne who had nine rebounds to go along with his 41 points. Payne scored 22 points in the first half and shot 16-21 from the field and 9-11 from the free throw line. He played the entire game.

“Payne played his guts out. We went to him and he responded. He was phenomenal tonight!” exclaimed Reid.

Tyler Quinney was outstanding – scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Mike Clark scored 16 points but shot just 5-20 from the field.

“Mike’s going to be all right. He’s been in a little shooting slump and he’s showing signs of coming out of it. One thing that will help him is to take better shots,” explained Reid.

The point guards for Snow did a terrific job distributing and taking care of the ball. Jake Peterson had seven assists and just two turnovers in 32 minutes of play. Jeffs had seven assists and no turnovers in 14 minutes.

“I really feel for these kids tonight – they’re working their tails off,” remarked Reid. “Somewhere along the lines these will turn into wins.”

Snow falls to 0-4 in the SWAC and travels to Salt Lake Community College Saturday night.