by Jakob Perez
The Salt Lake Community College Bruins wrapped up their regular season last week. Their final two games were very important. They faced off with Utah State University Eastern, who is currently fourth in the SWAC conference. They also played College of Southern Idaho, who sits atop the conference standings.
These games meant even more to the Bruins because they had split the season series with both teams coming into this week. Their last game against USU Eastern ended on a last second shot that handed them a 68-66 loss.
From the opening tip, it wasn’t hard to see that this game would be just as tightly contested. The first half was back and forth. Both teams exchanging buckets. This caused the teams to go into the break with only a basket to separate them as the Bruins trailed 42-40.
Salt Lake was able to gain control of the game in the second half behind Freshman guard Quincy McGriff. He led the game in scoring with 21 points. Sophomore big man Jay Allen-Tovar held it down on both ends of the court, finishing the game with 17 points and three blocks. Thanks in large part to their efforts, the Bruins were able to squeeze out a close game with a winning score of 88-81.
Coach Taylor’s team didn’t have much time to celebrate their victory. Two days later they faced off with the number one team in the conference: College of Southern Idaho. In their meeting prior to this one, SLCC came out on top 70-68 in a highly emotional game played in Twin Falls.
This time, Salt Lake would have the home advantage as they played the final game of the regular season in the Bruin Arena. Just like in their previous contest this one would come down to the wire. The game was tied up at 82 a piece with only four ticks left on the clock when Quincy McGriff once again came up big. He hit a three-pointer right at the buzzer to give the Bruins a 85-82 victory over their conference rival.
SLCC will go into their regional tournament with the second best record in the conference at 19-3 (12-3 in conference play). After finishing the regular season ranked 13th nationally in the NJCAA, they are set to take on the winner of Snow College vs CNCC in the regional tournament on April 9, 2021.
Featured image courtesy SLCC Bruins Website