TAYLORSVILLE, Utah-The Badgers went 9-of-24 from the free-throw line and failed to convert the front end of a number of one-and-one opportunities on Thursday, falling to league leading Salt Lake C.C., 87-77.

“We’ve got to hit our free throws,” head coach Rob Nielsen said. “We missed too many tonight.”

Despite the missed free throws, Snow College kept the game close throughout, tieing the game three different times in the first half. In the second half, the Badgers fell behind by 14 points, but cut that lead down to just two points with just over seven minutes to go when Trey Farrer collected two of his team-leading 22 points. One minute later Tyler Boyack hit one of two free throws to cut the lead to one with 6:44 remaining.

Statistically, the Badgers outscored SLCC, 19-17, on points off turnovers, and, 32-30, off points in the paint; however, the Bruins outscored the Badgers 8-0 on fast-break points and 7-6 on second-chance points.

“We didn’t stick to our game plan very well tonight,” Nielson said. “When we stuck to our plan, we were fine. Our sophomores have to step up. We’ll have a chance to regroup and we’ll see if they can respond on Saturday night against Southern Idaoho.

Farrer led the Badgers with 22 points on the night, connecting on 10-of-13 shots from the field. Sophomore Darrian Nebeker was credited with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Brantzen Blackner and Tredyn Christensen each had six rebounds.

Now 11-12 on the season and 2-3 in conference play, the Badgers will return to Ephraim on Saturday to take on Southern Idaho. Game time is set for 5 p.m. Snow dropped a 65-59 decision in Twin Falls last Saturday. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 67-61 loss at USU Eastern on Thursday night. Snow, CSI, and USUE are all tied for second place in the Scenic West standings with a 2-3 record.