The Sugar-Salem Diggers boys basketball team ran their perfect record to 14-0 Saturday, holding off a determined charge by the Shelley Russets at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Playing in front of a scattering of blue and red-clad fans at the home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and NHL’s Utah Mammoth, the Diggers scored a 52-51 win over the Russets in a midday contest.

Shelley (4-8) carried a lead of as much as six midway through the fourth quarter, and had a 4-point advantage with less than two minutes to play thanks to a clutch 3-pointer from junior Alex Beck.

The Diggers were equal to the challenge, however, knotting the game at 51 before taking the lead with eight seconds left on a free throw by senior Ace Clark.

Shelley had one final look at the basket, getting a driving shot by senior Brett Crandall as time expired. Crandall’s shot was contested by a Sugar-Salem double team, however, and the Diggers walked off the storied Delta Center hardwood winners.

The game was a rematch of a Dec. 19 contest in Sugar City where the Diggers handcuffed the visiting Russets 53-34.

Shelley head coach Keegan Keller was complimentary of how Sugar-Salem finished the game in his post-game conversation with his team.

He did, however, note he was happy with the way his Russets played, particularly considering how the first game between the two teams went.

“We were deserving of winning that game,” Keller said. “The ball bounced their way today. Look how much better we’ve gotten (since that first game). Based on that, I am excited for the rest of the season.”

The Russets lost five straight to open the year and are 4-3 since, with quality wins over Century, Bonneville, Idaho Falls and Skyline. Despite Saturday’s nonconference loss to the Diggers, Shelley is in control of the High Country Conference, sitting alone atop the standings at 3-0.

Sugar-Salem has posted a series of quality wins of its own. The Diggers, who play in the 4A classification, also have three wins over High Country Conference schools with a road win over Bonneville to go along with their two over Shelley.

The Diggers return to action this week with a pair of nonconference home games with Snake River and Filer before returning to conference play with a road date against Teton on Jan. 22.

Shelley will also spend most of January in conference, highlighted by a game against Bingham County Rival Blackfoot, as well as road games at Bonneville, Hillcrest and Idaho Falls to round out the month.