SNOW GEARING UP FOR CONFERENCE RUN
By Jon Gillespie
Building Momentum Going Into Region 18 Tournament

 EPHRAIM - Coming off a season-changing win on the road against Region 18 leading College of Eastern Utah (CEU), the Snow College Badgers looked impressive in an 87-75 win over non-conference foe Western Wyoming Community
College (WWCC) Wednesday night at the Snow College Activity Center.

A good crowd of Snow Students were on hand and were treated to a fast-paced, entertaining contest, full of dunks, deep threes, blocked shots, and a stingy defense that helped propel the Badgers to a surging 8-10 overall record and winners of three of their last four games. The Badgers held the Mustangs to 37 percent on the night and only 63 percent from the free-throw line.

“The home win was good. We want to establish a true home court advantage,” said Coach Michael Ostlund. “It makes a huge difference when we have our students and band on hand.”

 Things were close early on as Snow struggled to get their half court offense going. But midway through the first Melvin Hayes hit a three to start a 17-4 run that was capped by Corbin Green’s second of four3-point shots on the night that gave the Badgers a 29-21 lead. The Mustangs would get no closer.

 “Corbin’s energy and shooting really helped us tonight,” said Coach Ostlund.

The half ended as Renato Portugal capitalized on a pass from Jordan Wood and emphatically slammed it down with two hands Snow goes into the half with a commanding 44-30 lead.

Coming out of the break Snow quickly pushed the lead to a game high 22 points only to see Western answer and cut the lead to 57-47 with 11:31 left.  But the battle-tested Badgers pushed the lead back to 65-49 on a Melvin Washington rebound and acrobatic put back with just over six minutes remaining.

Four Badgers finished in double figures, led by the 22 points and six assists from team captain Jordan Wood. Reggie Shaw tossed in 16 points, while Portugal finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Green’s 4-7 three-point shooting gave him 12 points and six rebounds in the contest.

“Our realistic goal right now is to get better and better every week and build momentum going into the Region 18
Tournament,”  Ostlund said.

Next up for the Badgers is their first meeting of the season against rival (and league leader) Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City this Saturday at 5 PM.

The next home games are Friday January 29th at 7:30 PM against Colorado Northwestern and Saturday the 30th against CEU.