TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (January 21, 2018) - All but one time in the 2017-18 season, the No. 4 Salt Lake Community College Bruins have answered the bell.

The ways they've won have been staggering and diverse, combining for a 21-1 overall record and a 4-0 mark in Scenic West Athletic Conference play. Yes, the Bruins have shown themselves to be the dominant NJCAA program on the West Coast so far this season, with a chance to continue adding to their tally. However, in spite of all those wins, it is the 4-0 record in the Scenic West Athletic Conference that means the most to Salt Lake right now.

The Bruins lead the Scenic West at the top, having defeated every opponent they've faced in league to this point. As Salt Lake prepares to begin the second part of its league schedule Saturday against USU Eastern, the time has come for the Bruins to look back on what they accomplished in those four games - victories over two in-state rivals, an impressive performance against a nationally-elite program and a blowout home win that showcased how the team is able to handle expectations.

However, the most valuable thing the Bruins may have received, according to SLCC coach Todd Phillips, wasn't something they earned; instead, it was the rest they received as part of the league's schedule.

"We had a nice little break with not playing over the weekend," he said, referring to Salt Lake's one-game week in league play. "We used the break to try and get some guys healthy, as we prepare for the next bout of league action."

That next phase of Scenic West play begins against an opponent that caused the Bruins a variety of troubles in a 124-111 triple-overtime victory. The Eagles of USU Eastern presented multiple problems for Salt Lake, with the Bruins hanging in to the bitter end and finally prevailing. Sure the Eagles only went 1-3 in the opening part of league play, but don't let that fact dispel a team that provided Salt Lake numerous problems in their first matchup.

Phillips said he expects things will only get harder from here for Salt Lake.

"We have to refocus our energy for the second half of the league season," he said. "Everybody has scout tape of us now and will try to take away what we like to do. Sweeping the first part of league play will mean nothing if we give games away in the second part."

The fact the Bruins will play USU Eastern on the road again is also part of the unusual schedule that lies ahead for Salt Lake, who will not play at home against until February 10 against Snow College. In the mean time, the Bruins will play Saturday at USU Eastern, road games at Southern Idaho on Feb. 1 and Snow College on Feb. 3 and a road matchup against Colorado Northwestern.

The man who led SLCC to one of its two national titles said the next part of league schedule will tell a lot about where the Bruins are.

"We will see what we are made of after playing everyone on the road the second time through," Phillips said.

Saturday's game at USU Eastern is scheduled to tip at 5:30 p.m.