TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (January 16, 2019) - The No. 17 Salt Lake Community College men's basketball team isn't accustomed to losing.

After all, the Bruins are 15-4 and were 2-0 in conference play until falling in disappointing fashion to Snow College last Saturday, 92-90. However, with a new week brings new opportunities and SLCC will have another in-state rival inside the Lifetime Activities Center Thursday, with USU Eastern traveling to face the Bruins.

With the Snow loss in mind, Salt Lake coach Todd Phillips said his team will have to use the adversity as a positive.

"It was a tough loss to Snow at the buzzer," said Phillips. "We have to refocus and be ready to play this week, especially at home against a USU Eastern team who beat (No. 19 Southern Idaho)."

Salt Lake has found several calling cards throughout the season, with guard Cameron Mack and a heavy dose of defense being the primary winner. Mack scored 27 points in the loss, while SLCC's defense once again struggled to find its tone. The Bruins have surrendered 88-or-more points in each of their Scenic West Athletic Conference games this season.

Phillips said his team has to be prepared to defend better, especially against a USU Eastern team that is averaging 86.5 points-per-game.

"The trick in our league is you have to keep getting better every week," he said. "When you're at the end of the year, you need to be playing your best basketball."

The Bruins still have plenty of time until the season ends but playing well against USU Eastern would make a statement throughout the rest of the league. The Eagles are 2-0 in league play, sitting a half-game in front of Salt Lake. USU Eastern is 14-6 on the season. Four teams in the SWAC have 14 wins-or-more, with Snow College and Southern Idaho leading the back with 16 wins apiece.

Thursday's game against USU Eastern is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start. The Bruins will not play a game Saturday but will host Colorado Northwestern inside the Lifetime Activities Center on Thursday, Jan. 24.