TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (Friday, December 1, 2023) – The Bruins trounced Central Wyoming 93-34 to open the SLCC December Classic Basketball tournament.

Salt Lake improved to 6-4 with their sixth-straight win against the Rustlers on Friday night.

Jumping on CWC from the opening tip, SLCC shot better than 60 percent from the field in every quarter as they took a 25-8 lead after 10 minutes of play. They would go on to hold a 43-20 halftime advantage.

Salt Lake's defense took control in the second half as the Rustlers went without a field goal for more than ten minutes. After a layup with 2:53 left in the third, Central Wyoming didn't make another shot until 2:30 remained and the outcome was no longer in doubt. 

Coming off of the bench with Ana Oliviera Dias' return to the starting lineup, Ines Gnahore was a perfect 9-for-9 from the field, finishing with a season-high 22 points in only 17 minutes. It was the second consecutive game in which Gnahore scored a season-high after scoring 15 against Western Wyoming. Gnahore scored a career-high 31 points twice while playing for Eastern Wyoming last season.

Mia Tarver added 20 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Dias contributed 13 points, three boards, and five steals. Heaven Samayoa-Mathis made 2-of-8 shots for six points but finished with a team-high six assists. Bati Assefa chipped in 11 points off the bench.

Salt Lake continues the SLCC December Classic Basketball Tournament on December 2 against a collection of local all-stars. USU Eastern, Central Wyoming, and an All-Star team make up the tournament field. 

SLCC tips off against the All-Stars at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 1. Find tickets for all Salt Lake Community College events here. 

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