USU Eastern Men's Basketball Stages Gutsy Comeback Over SLCC

Eagles rally from 18-point deficit to win in overtime

Feb. 10, 2026 at 11:39pm

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The Utah State Eastern men's basketball team overcame a large first-half deficit to defeat Salt Lake Community College 79-68 in overtime. After trailing by as many as 18 points, the Eagles stormed back in the second half and eventually took the lead late before the game went to overtime, where they outscored the Bruins 13-2 to secure the victory.

Why it matters

The win gives Eastern a three-game lead over North Idaho and Salt Lake in the conference standings, solidifying their position in third place. This comeback victory demonstrates the team's resilience and ability to battle back from adversity, which could prove crucial as they continue their push for a strong finish to the season.

The details

In the first half, the Bruins used a hot start to build an 18-point lead over the Eagles. However, Eastern regrouped in the second half, trimming the deficit to single digits within the first five minutes. A tip-in by Robbie Yates gave Eastern its first lead since early in the first half, and they held on until the final seconds of regulation when SLCC tied the game at 66 to force overtime. In the extra period, Eastern dominated, outscoring the Bruins 13-2 to secure the 79-68 victory.

  • The first meeting between these teams earlier this season resulted in a 78-72 win for Eastern.
  • Eastern trailed by 18 points midway through the first half before rallying back.
  • The game went to overtime tied at 66 after SLCC hit two free throws in the final seconds of regulation.
  • Eastern outscored SLCC 13-2 in the overtime period to win 79-68.

The players

Ike Palmer

The leading scorer for Eastern, finishing with 25 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.

Bowen Davies

Scored 15 points for the Eagles.

Seven Bahati

Contributed 12 points for Eastern.

Isaac Castagnetto

Scored 10 points for the Eagles.

Robbie Yates

Gave Eastern its first lead of the second half with a tip-in at the rim.

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What’s next

Next for Eastern is a trip to face top-ranked Snow College. The Eagles and Badgers are scheduled to play on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 7:00 p.m.

The takeaway

This comeback victory demonstrates the resilience and determination of the USU Eastern men's basketball team, as they were able to battle back from a large deficit to secure an important conference win. The team's ability to regroup and dominate in overtime could provide a momentum boost as they continue their push for a strong finish to the season.