RANGELY, Colo. (February 11, 2021) – The Colorado Northwestern Community College men's basketball team suffered a narrow defeat to the nation's No. 3-ranked team Thursday.
 
CNCC dropped a game to No. 3 Salt Lake Community College in its Scenic West Athletic Conference home opener, falling 81-76 in a game that went back-and-forth. The losses drop CNCC's overall record to 2-2 overall, with a mark of 1-1 in Scenic West play.

It was Colorado Northwestern that jumped out with early momentum, taking an early 17-7 lead after Rhaven Brown finished off a three-point play midway through the first half. SLCC would recover to take a 43-39 halftime lead but CNCC would make one more charge, cutting the deficit to 79-76 with nine seconds left on a made three-point shot by Chuol Deng-Wal. SLCC iced the game with two late free-throw's to earn the win.

Rhaven Brown led all scorers in the game with 25 points, including a perfect 9-of-9 performance at the three-point line. Deng-Wal finished with 18 points and Azarien Stephens scored 11 points. 
 
Colorado Northwestern will close the weekend with a game against Snow College on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.