SNOW MENS BASKETBALL TEAM LIFTS SEASON MARK TO 8-1
by Greg Dart

We Are Excited

RICHFIELD – Snow College Head Basketball Coach Michael Ostlund challenged his team early in the week and the young Badgers accepted the challenge and worked their way to two victories over the weekend in Richfield.

No challenge was greater than preseason top-5 Howard College on Saturday night. The Badgers found themselves down 36-23 with just over 15 minutes remaining, yet they clawed their way back behind two big three-point buckets from Rory Patterson. And when Sophomore Ryan Brimley nailed a three with 11 minutes remaining the Badgers had just capped a 17-4 run and took their first lead of the game 40-39.

The lead was short-lived however, as the talented Hawks went on a 13-6 run of their own to go up 52-46.

Down six with five minutes remaining, it was once again the dynamic duo of Patterson and Brimley who caught fire and when Brimley hit his third trey of the game the Badgers went ahead for good 54-52 with 1:38 remaining.

“Everyone pitched in and worked their tails off,” said a jubilant Ostlund afterward. “That is the kind of game we will be playing during conference and it is great to see our kids compete and win a defensive struggle like that. Howard is a great club and a measuring stick for where we are as a team.”

With the win the Badgers improved to 8-1 (combined with an 84-64 win over Southwest Academy College in the first round of the Richfield Classic Friday night).

The All-American Patterson led the balanced Badgers with 16 Friday and 15 more in the victory over Howard.

“It is comforting to have Rory out there,” said Ostlund. “He is a such a calming influence for us. We know we can go to him when we need a play.”

Freshman Melvin Haynes chipped in 13 points Friday and nine on Saturday while Brimley added eight and nine for the Badgers who have now won six straight games.

The Badgers play at the Salt Lake Community College Classic next Friday and Saturday.