WEARY BADGERS
BEATEN DOWN BY BRUINS
by Rick Pike

20-6 Bruin Run in the Second Half Proves Insurmountable

EPHRAIM, UTAH-January 7, 2006-Snow College watched an early lead evaporate at Salt Lake Community College Saturday as the Bruins coasted to a 65-55 win. The Badgers opened up a 9-4 lead but the Bruins went on a 10-0 run to grab the lead and keep it. In the second half, Salt Lake led 39-31 and went on a 20-6 run for a 59-37 lead that proved insurmountable.

Badger turnovers were big factors in both Bruin runs. Snow committed 15 turnovers in the first half – equaling their total in Friday’s game against North Idaho. The Badgers had another 4 turnovers during Salt Lake’s second half run and took several ill-advised shots that ended in Bruin fast breaks for lay-ups.

“I credit Salt Lake – that’s a very good team. We’ll need to play a great game to beat them when we meet again,” remarked Roger Reid, Snow’s head coach.

The SWAC schedule was stacked against Snow and North Idaho this week. They were the only teams to play back-to-back games. The remaining teams played on Thursday and Saturday.

The Badger starters looked gassed throughout the contest. Geoff Payne, who scored 41 points Friday, struggled to score 13 points on 6-15 shooting from the floor. He grabbed an uncharacteristic three rebounds. Tyler Quinney, who had a double-double Friday, played only 10 minutes Saturday and finished with only two points and no rebounds. Coach Reid only played eight players Friday but 12 entered the game Saturday. Jason Palmer stood out early, grabbing 4 rebounds in 14 minutes.

The turnover bug bit the Bruins at the end of the game – they committed eight turnovers in the final five minutes. Snow’s bench took advantage of the turnovers and finished the game with an 18-6 run. Dante Green scored 12 of his game-high 19 points in that stretch, including a slam-dunk as time expired.

Snow falls to 0-5 in SWAC play and hosts Colorado Northwestern Friday night.