Salt Lake Community College avenged two regular season overtime losses to the College of Eastern Utah by defeating the Eagles, 92-88, Thursday in the opening round of the Region 18 Basketball Tournament.
Marcel Johnson lead SLCC with 31 points while Kenny Pratt of CEU also had 31.Johnson was 12-of-12 from the free-throw line and his rebound basket off a missed free throw by a teammate iced the game for the Bruins.
"This is the game that mattered," said Bruin forward Don Faux, who collected 13 rebounds. "This is the one that helps get us to the national tournament."
SLCC faces North Idaho today at 6 p.m.
UVSC 105, Dixie 101
Despite 38 points by Dixie's Kevin Simpson, Utah Valley State College dropped the Rebels. Bryon Ruffner led the Wolverines with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
North Idaho 74, Ricks 72
Seventh-seeded North Idaho pulled off the day's biggest upset. The Cardinals used a balanced attack with four players in double figures. Luke Palumbis and Eric Sanchez each had 14 points and 7 rebounds.
CSI 82, Snow 60
The host school, College of Southern Idaho, easily handled the Badgers. Ed Gray had 14 points and Shawn Bankhead 13 for Snow.