TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (January 31, 2018) - A 50-47 loss to the College of Southern Idaho on Jan. 11 is all that separates the No. 9 Salt Lake Community College Bruins from a perfect league record and one with a disappointing mark.

The Bruins struggled offensively throughout the game on that cold January evening, with CSI making the critical plays at the critical junctures to earn the surprising road victory inside the Lifetime Activities Center. Since that loss, Salt Lake has powered through the Scenic West Athletic Conference with three consecutive wins, moving their league record to 4-1 and tied for tops in the league.

Now Salt Lake turns its mind to one primary goal - redemption. The Bruins will receive a chance at that this week, as they start a two-game SWAC road trip with a game against Southern Idaho in Twin Falls Thursday. While the game against CSI holds personal significance to the Bruins, it will be important not to place more emphasis than needed on that game as its followed up by a trip to play in-state rival Snow College.

With two critical games on the scheduled this week, SLCC coach Betsy Specketer said her team will have to maintain a calm focus in spite of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

"We're going to need strong defensive intensity and effort this weekend against two really good offensive teams," she said.

The Bruins had both in a 66-51 victory over USU Eastern Saturday, a victory that impressed the veteran Specketer.

"Our team showed so much fight in the win over USU Eastern," she said. "We were really dialed in defensively for the full 40 minutes."

SLCC is hopeful they can carry that momentum into this weekend's games, starting with CSI Thursday. The Golden Eagles are a half-game behind SLCC in the standings at 4-2, and are coming off a dominating 133-64 victory over Colorado Northwestern. Snow is also having another successful year, with the Badgers and Bruins tied atop the league standings at 4-1. Snow defeated CSI in its last game, earning a 64-55 victory.

These two games, along with a road game at Colorado Northwestern next weekend, will propel Salt Lake into the third round of SWAC play. Salt Lake's next home game is scheduled for February 10 against Snow College.