SLOW SECOND HALF START SINKS SNOW
by Rick Pike

Badgers Give up 52 Points to SLCC in Second Half

EPHRAIM, UTAH-January 27, 2006-Salt Lake Community College went on a 23-8 run during the first eight minutes of the second half and clawed their way to an 83-78 win over Snow Friday. The Badgers led 42-31 at the half but came out of the locker room cold and sloppy. Snow committed five turnovers and missed several good looks at the basket during the Bruins’ run. It was the third league game at home where poor play to start the second half contributed to a nail-biting loss.

While the Bruins run gave them a 54-50 lead, Snow came back to grab a 56-54 lead on a Mike Clark three-pointer. With seven minutes left, Snow’s Dante Green had the highlight of the game – a resounding dunk in traffic. Green was fouled on the play and completed a three-point-play, giving the Badgers a 66-64 lead. The celebration in the gym was short-lived. The Bruins drained a three at the other end to lead 67-66 and never trailed again.

Time and time again in the second half, Snow would play strong defense for 30 seconds only to break down and allow Salt Lake an open jumper just as the shot clock ran down. The Bruins blistered the nets in the second half, shooting 77% - 60% for the game.

“Our defense has to get better. Our goal was to hold them to 40% and we didn’t do it,” said Roger Reid, Snow’s head coach. “I thought our effort was very good at times but physically we couldn’t stop them . . . and give them credit – they hit their shots.

Snow also hit their shots. Except for the first few minutes of the second half, Badger fans were treated to excellent offensive play. Snow shot 67% in the first half, 57% for the game. Clark was 5-8 from behind the arc en route to 15 first half points. Geoff Payne had 13 points and five assists at the half. Clark finished with 23 points and Payne netted 26 points and seven assists. Green joined them in double figures with 15 points.

At halftime, Snow’s president, Michael Benson, presented the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl trophy to the football team, represented by Coach Steve Coburn and his assistants. Snow also recognized a number of high school football players who were visiting Snow on a recruiting trip.

The Badgers fall to 3-6 in SWAC play and face the Bruins again Saturday in the Activity Center.