BADGERS SEASON OVER
AFTER LOSS TO SALT LAKE
by Tyler Hughes

Fall Short To Bruins 68-70

In the fifth and final meeting during the 2006-07 season between Snow College and Salt Lake Community College, at stake was an opportunity to play in the Scenic West Athletic Conference championship game.

Roger Reid’s ball club played in a tremendous ball game; however, they came up just short while falling to the Bruins 70-68.

Outside of one ten point win Snow had over Salt Lake, the other ball games had all been decided by four points or less. Friday night’s game would prove to be competitive wire-to-wire.

Officiating proved to be a major factor as both teams reached the double bonus, just ten minutes into the 1st half. Meanwhile, Snow College was able to jump out to an early 25-15 lead.

As the game progressed through the 1st half, Badger star Geoff Payne did not get the ball into his hands as often as he typically does around the basket. However, other Badger players were able to step up and to fill the scoring void. Jake Peterson was able to connect on three 3-pointers in the 1st half which helped give him a team-high 15 points on the night.

Coming out of halftime, Snow held onto a 37-35 lead. Snow was able to quickly extend their lead to six points. The six point lead only lasted for one possession and that difference in scoring proved to be the largest lead by either team in the 2nd half.

With ten minutes to play in the 2nd half, Snow College center John Clifford was charged with his 5th foul. Clifford exited the game with 8 points. In addition, their front line was thinned with the loss of Clifford and more foul trouble would ensue for Snow College.

Both Payne and forward, Adrien Sturt would pick up their fourth foul call with more than six minutes to play when the score was knotted up at 60 apiece.

And as the Badgers faced foul trouble their defense had to play more conservatively as each whistle brought on another foul call and free throws for Salt Lake. The Bruins had twenty free throw attempts in the 2nd half.

After Papa Samaba Guisee for Salt Lake hit 1-of-2 free throws and tied the score at 68, Snow College had 56 seconds to take the lead.

The Badgers twice were able to rebound a missed shot attempt during the final minute, which gave them the ball with seven seconds to go. Badger point guard, Jake Peterson, saw his pass slip through the hands of Mark Mulford and Bruin guard, Vassy Banny, took the ball coast-to-coast for a lay-up with just over three seconds to play.

Banny, who was also fouled on the shot, gave the Bruins a 70-68 lead with one free throw attempt. Banny missed his free throw and Peterson had Snow on the move for a possible miracle.

Peterson was able to get as clean as a look as he could get and launched a half-court shot as time expired that nearly sunk for Snow College.

Peterson played 39 minutes and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Cris Hoopes added 14 points and 7 rebounds. Payne finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. One could argue, these three sophomores were the key towards the Badger turnaround from a year ago as Coach Roger Reid took over the program. These three will be sorely missed for Snow College.

Snow College saw their season end in disappointing fashion as Salt Lake moved onto the Region 18-SWAC tournament final. For their efforts, Snow College finished the season with a 23-8 record and a SWAC regular season conference championship; their first since the 1999-2000 season.