SLCC obliterates first-round foe

EPHRAIM — The Salt Lake City Community College Bruin men's basketball team earned an easy first-round victory in the Region 18 tournament over Colorado Northwestern Community College behind the solid play of pre-season All-American center Gary Wilkinson.

Wilkinson had 23 points and nine rebounds in the 104-50 blowout last night at Snow College in Ephraim, but played little in the second half.

Wilkinson along with the rest of the Bruin starters was pulled from the game early in the second half after Salt Lake went on a 28-0 run and extended their 48-29 first-half lead to 56-29. Salt Lake had 51 points from the bench in the game.

As much as Wilkinson"s inside game helped in the Bruin win, Colorado"s commitment to the outside shot decided their fate. CNCC had only 10 points in the paint and recorded no second-chance points. Out of 58 CNCC shots in the game, 27 were behind the arc and many more were just inside it.

Salt Lake's Brian Green played 21 minutes and followed Wilkinson with 13 points and two steals. Papa Samba Guisee had 10 points and nine rebounds.

The third-seed Bruins will face Scenic West Athletic Conference champions and the Region 18 second-seed team Snow College Friday at 7:30 p.m. The teams split their season series, with both squads sweeping their home games.

In the first game of the tournament yesterday, the College of Eastern Utah made its exit after falling to North Idaho College, 80-62.

NIC out-shot CEU 48 percent to 33 percent in the game and turned offensive boards into second chance points for the win.

For CEU, Felix Casperi recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tyler Kepay had 19 points and Steve Hassell had 13 points and three steals.

Salt Lake City Community College Bruin men's basketball team earned an easy first-round victory in the Region 18 tournament over Colorado Northwestern Community College behind the solid play of pre-season All-American center Gary Wilkinson.