Box Score TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (December 30, 2018) - After a disappointing late loss to the nation's top-ranked team, the No. 5 Salt Lake Community College men's basketball team knew closing the year with a victory would be the best way to finish.

Playing in a consolation game against host Mesa Community College, the Bruins closed out their appearance in the 2018 Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout with a victory, picking up a 93-88 overtime win over Mesa. The victory propelled Salt Lake's overall record to 13-3. 

Bruins coach Todd Phillips said it was good to finish the preseason with a victory over a competitive opponent.

"We didn't shoot it very well, which was a theme of the weekend but we guarded and found a way," he said. "Asa McCord was a monster on the offensive glass, giving us multiple possessions."

Salt Lake led Mesa 41-34 at halftime, dominating the glass in a way that proved fortuitous throughout the game. SLCC finished with a 55-38 advantage on the glass, including a 24-11 edge in offensive rebounds. While the game went to overtime, the Bruins used a 2-of-3 performance at the three-point line to pick up the win, compared to Mesa's 1-of-4 performance. 

Josh Colon led Salt Lake with 32 points, including a stellar 12-of-15 performance at the free-throw line. Hunter Schofield also finished in double-figures, finishing with 16 points. Asa McCord had 13 points and St. John's commit Cameron Mack finished with 10 points.

SLCC will open Scenic West Athletic Conference play on Saturday at NJCAA runner-up Southern Idaho. The Bruins will play their league home-opener on Saturday, Jan. 12, against in-state rival Snow College.