Box Score TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (December 27, 2018) - The No. 7 Salt Lake Community College men's basketball team opened up their post-holiday break schedule the same way they started it - with a victory.

Playing in the prestigious Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout in Arizona, the Bruins earned a 102-79 victory over Bismarck State College Thursday, advancing to a matchup with No. 1 South Plains Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. The victory moves Salt Lake's record to 12-2 overall.

SLCC held a 47-37 halftime lead, thanks to holding Bismarck to a shooting percentage of 35.7 percent. The Bruins' success came from their dominance in several statistical areas, including points-in-the-paint (56-34) and second-change points (26-12). SLCC also held a 61-29 advantage in rebounding.

Bruins coach Todd Phillips said his team overcame a tough start to earn the victory.

"We were pretty rusty and didn't shoot it well to start," he said. "We had a couple good spurts and controlled the whole game. We have a big matchup tomorrow."

Washington State signee Daron Henson led Salt Lake with 31 points, hitting 13-of-22 shots. Asa McCord finished with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, while Josh Colon had 11 points. Jared Holman had 10 points off the bench. 

The Bruins will play games Friday and Saturday, with Friday's game against South Plains being a winners' bracket game in the tourney. Salt Lake will open Scenic West Athletic Conference play on January 5 against NJCAA runner-up Southern Idaho.