Snow College Remains Best JUCO, Division II Team In Utah After Weekend Sweep

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Snow College got back on track with two wins and still remain on top in the JUCO and Division II in-state Power Rankings for the fourth straight week.

Snow dropped out of the NJCAA top 25 rankings but all three JUCO schools that include Salt Lake Community College, Snow College and Utah State University Eastern are all receiving votes.

The schools in the state went 6-3 during the past week.

Dixie State has won their eighth straight game and are now in sixth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic standings.

Here is the fifth edition of the KSL Sports Division II and JUCO Utah College Basketball Power Rankings from games played from Monday, February 4 to Sunday, February 10.

1. Snow College Badgers (21-6, 6-3 SWAC)

Wins: at Colorado Northwestern, vs. Colorado Northwestern

Recap: Snow was able to pick up a big road win over Colorado Northwestern 77-72. Just two days later, the Badgers beat them again 85-64 at home. Nick Huston had 17 points in 16 minutes off the bench to lead Snow. Jake Walker poured in 16 points, while Truman Moore had 14 points and 7 rebounds.

Previous Ranking: 1

Next Up: at USU Eastern on Thursday at 7:30 and at Salt Lake Community College on Saturday at 5 p.m. on scenicwestnetwork.com.

 

2. Salt Lake Community College Bruins (18-7, 5-4 SWAC)

Wins: vs. Utah State University Eastern

Recap: The Bruins played just one game during the week and picked up a 68-60 win over Utah State University Eastern. The game was tied at 28 going into halftime before SLCC outscored the Eagles 40-32 in the second half. Daron Henson scored 16 points to lead the Bruins. Matt Lindsey chipped in 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from downtown, Hunter Schofield added 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Previous Ranking: 2

Next Up: at No. 13 College of Southern Idaho on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. They will host Snow College on Saturday at 5 p.m. with both games being broadcast on scenicwestnetwork.com.

 

3. Utah State University Eastern Eagles (16-11, 4-5 SWAC)

Losses: at No. 13 College of Southern Idaho, at Salt Lake Community College

Recap: It looked like a potential upset against College of Southern Idaho as USU Eastern outscored CSI 29-27 in the first half. They were outscored 38-35 in the second half as they fell 65-54. Blaze Nield and Chase Berry each scored 13 points to lead the Eagles.

After a tie game going into halftime, the Eagles couldn’t get past the Burins in the second half as they lost 68-60. Blaze Nield led the way with 25 points and 8 rebounds.

Previous Ranking: 3

Next Up: vs. Snow College on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on scenicwestnetwork.com.

 

4. Dixie State Trailblazers (13-8, 11-6 RMAC)

Wins: vs. Western Colorado, vs. Colorado Mesa

Recap: Dixie State jumped out to a 42-25 halftime lead and never looked back, as they cruised to a 74-52 victory over Western Colorado. Julien Ducree led the Trailblazers with 14 points, while Quincy Matthews and Wade Miller scored 11 points apiece off the bench.

In their 80-73 win over Colorado Mesa, Dixie State had to fight until the end to get the win with their largest lead being just 11 points with 3 minutes left. Matt Conway was the leading scorer for the Trailblazers with 17 to go with his 10 rebounds. Jack Pagenkopf and Julien Ducree had 13 points each and Zach Frampton and Dub Price had 12 points apiece. They have won eight straight games

Previous Ranking: 4

Next Up: at Adams State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and at Fort Lewis on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed at portal.stretchinternet.com.

 

5. Westminster Griffins (9-12, 7-10 RMAC)

Wins: vs. Western State Colorado University

Losses: vs. Colorado Mesa

Recap: Westminster had a tough time against Colorado Mesa as they only led by three early in the game before CMU took over on their way to a 77-56 win. Alec Monson and Brandon Warr had 13 points apiece to lead the Griffins.

Against Western State Colorado University, Westminster led basically the entire game as they picked up an 88-61 win. Jake Connor had 22 points to lead the Griffins, hitting 5-for-10 from deep. Jai Jai Ely had 15 points, while Warr finished with a double-double, 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Previous Ranking: 5

Next Up: at Fort Lewis College on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and at Adams State University on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The live stream for both games can be found at portal.stretchinternet.com.