Snow College Passes SLCC For Top JUCO, Division II In-State Team

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Snow College has taken over the top spot in the JUCO and Division II in-state Power Rankings.

The former No. 1 SLCC has lost their last two games including a one-point upset at home to Utah State University Eastern.

Dixie State swept their week and has passed Westminster, who lost both of their games to the same opponents.

Here is the second edition of the KSL Sports Division II and JUCO Utah College Basketball Power Rankings from games played from January 14-20.

1. Snow College Badgers (18-4, 3-1 SWAC)

Wins: vs. Colorado Northwestern Community College, at Utah State University Eastern

Recap: In the Badgers’ 98-61 win over Colorado Northwestern, the game was never close. Snow College outscored CNCC 56-25 in the first half and 42-36 in the second half. Jake Walker scored 15 points to lead the Badgers, while Nick Huston added 14 points off the bench.

It was a closer contest against USU Eastern with three lead changes but Snow’s biggest lead was 13 points. They were able to beat the Eagles 68-57. Brayden Johnson poured in 20 points and 6 rebounds, Logan Hokanson chipped in 14 points for Snow. They have won three straight games.

Badgers Blast CNCC, 98-61 https://t.co/0LGxh0Cyc3

— Snow Athletics (@SnowAthletics) January 18, 2019

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: at College of Southern Idaho on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. They will host Salt Lake Community College on Saturday at 5 p.m. The game against SLCC will be broadcast on scenicwestnetwork.com.

2. Salt Lake Community College Bruins (15-5, 2-2 SWAC)

Losses: vs. Utah State University Eastern

Recap: It was a dramatic finish at Bruin Arena with SLCC down by one point and after getting the offensive rebound with one second left, one of the Bruin players called a timeout as Josh Colon shot the ball and made the basket but was called off due to the timeout. Cameron Mack couldn’t hit the game-winner with 1.2 seconds left and the Eagles upset the Bruins on the road 87-86. Daron Henson led SLCC with 24 points and Colon finished with 16 points. They have lost two straight games.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: vs. Colorado Northwestern Community College on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on team1sports.com. They will travel to Snow College on Saturday at 5p.m. on scenicwestnetwork.com.

3. Utah State University Eastern Eagles (15-7, 3-1 SWAC)

Wins: at Salt Lake Community College

Losses: vs. Snow College

Recap: The Eagles were able to pull off an upset win on the road against Salt Lake Community College 87-86 that had a dramatic ending. Blaze Nield scored 20 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to lead the Eagles. Chase Berry and Ognjen Pantovic each scored 15 points, Tyler Walker added 12 points off the bench.

USU Eastern lost their first conference game of the season with a 68-57 road defeat at the hands of Snow College. Pantovic had 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Nield scored 17 points. Chase Berry nearly had a double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds. That loss snapped a four game winning streak.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: at Colorado Northwestern Community College on Saturday at 5 p.m. on scenicwestnetwork.com.

4. Dixie State Trailblazers (7-8, 5-6 RMAC)

Wins: at Colorado Christian, at Regis

Recap: The Trailblazers were absolutely dominate in their 84-48 win over Colorado Christian. They outscored CCU 34-17 in the first half and 50-31 in the second half. Matt Conway had 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead Dixie State. Julien Ducree added 13 points while Quincy Matthews and Cameron Chatwin each scored 10 points.

Dixie State had to overcome a 14-point deficit to beat Regis 77-74. They took a 71-70 lead with 3 minutes left and never trailed after that to get the win. Conway poured in 24 points and 8 rebounds, Andre Wilson chipped in 13 points and Dub Price had 12 points off the bench. The Trailblazers have won their last two games and three of their last four.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: at Colorado Mesa on Friday at 7 p.m. and at Western Colorado on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed at portal.stretchinternet.com.

5. Westminster Griffins (6-9, 4-7 RMAC)

Losses: at Regis University, at Colorado Christian University

Recap: The Griffins had a 40-31 halftime lead against Regis but were outscored 46-36 and fell to the Rangers 77-76. Regis made one free throw to take a 76-74 lead 21 seconds left when Westminster guard Alec Monson nailed a jumper to tie the game at 76 with 5 seconds left. Regis was fouled and made one free throw to win the game. Monson finished with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, Jacob McCord added 12 points and Brandon Warr chippied in 11 points.

Westminster stayed even in the first half against Colorado Christian when they were tied at halftime at 37. Colorado Christian outscored the Griffins 49-40 in the second half to pick up the 86-77 win. McCord scored 21 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Griffins. Warr poured in 19 points and 12 rebounds and Jai Jai Ely had 15 points. They have lost their last two games.

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: at Western State Colorado University on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and at Colorado Mesa University on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The live stream for both games can be found at portal.stretchinternet.com