The Snow College men's basketball team claimed an 80-69 victory over the College of Southern Nevada Thursday in Las Vegas.  With the win, the Badgers notch their 21^st victory of the season surpassing 2022-23's regular season ledger.
 
The Badgers entered the midweek matchup off the heels of a three-game losing streak including a pair of defeats against North Idaho College and the College of Southern Idaho last weekend in Ephraim.  
 
It was a tight game throughout much of the first half.  There were a total of eight ties and four lead changes in the opening 20 minutes.  The Badgers shot just 29 percent from the field in the first half but were able to keep the game close by outrebounding the Coyotes.
 
The Badgers led by two points on three separate occasions but a 6-0 burst towards the end of the first half by the Coyotes put the Badgers in a 31-25 hole entering the halftime break.
 
Snow College was able to work through their shooting woes to begin the second half and came out scorching.  They exploded for a 20-4 run in the first six minutes of the second stanza. A pair of 3-pointers from Dylan Jones and another triple from Isaac Finlinson on three straight possessions helped the Badgers open up a 10-point lead. 
 
Five more quick points from Finlinson gave the Badgers a 50-37 lead with just over 12 minutes to play.  The Coyotes were able to work their way back into the game as they trimmed the lead to just five points with 5:40 left in the game.  
 
A dunk from Max Triplett and five straight points from Gaige Savage put the Badgers back up 11 points with two minutes to play.  Snow College would be able to hold the Coyotes at bay over the remaining minutes and secure the 80-69 victory.
 
Finlinson led the Badgers in scoring as he recorded 22 points – his fifth game of at least 20 points this season – and eight rebounds. Savage added 14 points and seven rebounds while Triplett recorded 11 points and grabbed eight boards.  Colin Christensen chipped in 10 points and eight assists in the win.
 
Snow College will now prepare to take on No. 7 Salt Lake Community College next Thursday in Taylorsville.  The Bruins own a 25-3 overall record and a 10-2 mark within the Scenic West Athletic Conference. SLCC defeated the Badgers 70-66 earlier in the season in Ephraim.  
 
Thursday's matchup is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff inside the Lifetime Activities Center in Taylorsville.  For video streaming and live stat information, visit snowbadgers.com.