SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The surging Snow College Badgers, boasting the nation’s premier junior college men’s basketball record at 22-1, visit the Salt Lake Community College Bruin Bears in a Region 18 matchup Thursday night.

Snow, ranked nationally, has dominated its schedule, with its lone loss coming on the road against Southern Idaho on Jan. 15. The Badgers are riding a six-game win streak, most recently defeating then-Southern Idaho 83-77 on Saturday. In that victory, forward Brock McClure posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while guard Kyle Lemke erupted for a game-high 29 points.

McClure has been a consistent force, recording double-doubles in three of his last seven games. He averages 12.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest during that stretch.

Salt Lake (9-12) seeks to halt its two-game slide and upset the region leaders. The Bruin Bears are led by guard Nick Clark, who scored 21 points in a win over Colorado Northwestern on Jan. 29. Clark’s production has varied, but his scoring punch is essential for a Salt Lake offense averaging 74.2 points per game.

The teams last met on Jan. 6 in Ephraim, Utah, where Snow cruised to a 90-69 victory. Salt Lake has not played since a 102-62 exhibition win over Eastern Wyoming on Nov. 12, 2021, with its last official contest a 91-72 loss at Southern Idaho on Jan. 24.

A key matchup will be inside, where Snow’s McClure will challenge Salt Lake’s frontcourt. The Badgers average 86.2 points per game and have surpassed 100 points twice this season. Containing Snow’s balanced attack, which features four players averaging double figures, will be Salt Lake’s primary challenge.

Following this game, Snow travels to face Colorado Northwestern on Saturday. Salt Lake hosts Utah State Eastern on Saturday.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MST at the Bruin Arena.