Preview: Salt Lake Seeks Upset Against Top-Ranked Snow

EPHRAIM, Utah (Interstat) — The Snow College Badgers, boasting one of the nation’s premier junior college men’s basketball records at 25-1, will host the struggling Salt Lake Community College Bruin Bears (9-16) on Thursday night in a rematch of a lopsided contest from earlier this month.

Snow, whose only loss came on Jan. 15, has dominated the series this season. The Badgers routed the Bruins 103-76 in Salt Lake City on Feb. 5 and earned a 90-69 victory at home on Jan. 6. The Badgers’ offense has been relentless, averaging 92.5 points in those two wins.

A key player for Snow is guard Max Toombs, who contributed 10 points and three assists in the Feb. 5 win over Salt Lake. Toombs is coming off a 19-point performance in a Feb. 12 victory over Utah State Eastern. The Badgers’ attack is multifaceted, as shown by Sam Sivulich’s 25-point outing in that same game.

Salt Lake, mired in a four-game losing streak, will look to sophomore guard Lantz Stephenson for a spark. Stephenson scored a season-high 20 points in a loss to Southern Idaho on Feb. 14 but was limited to just seven points in six minutes against Snow on Feb. 5. His production has been volatile, and the Bruins will need him at his best to challenge the Badgers’ defense.

The Bruins’ recent results highlight their difficulties, including an overtime loss to Utah State Eastern and the 27-point defeat to Snow. Their last win was a road victory at Colorado Northwestern on Jan. 29.

For Snow, this game represents a chance to continue building momentum before a tough road trip to North Idaho and Southern Idaho next week. Salt Lake is searching for answers to slow the Badgers’ high-powered offense and avoid a season sweep in the rivalry.

Tipoff is set for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the Snow College arena.