Leading 51-47 late in the fourth quarter, the Emery Spartans couldn’t hang onto the lead against the North Summit Braves Thursday afternoon, losing the quarterfinal matchup 56-51.
The Spartans shot just 25% (5-20) in the first half en route to just 18 points. They scored just nine points in each of the first two quarters.
Emery responded in the second half, converting 10 its 17 field goals. Kyson Stilson hit a three at the end of the third quarter to keep the Spartans within one, 29-28, heading into the final quarter.
Emery built a four-point lead, 51-47, with over a minute to play in the game before North Summit snagged a couple of offensive rebounds and converted on all but one of their free throws down the stretch.
Koby Butler scored 22 points and hauled in 10 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Bowdie Jacobson went 6-10 from the free throw line, adding 11 points. Stilson came off the bench to chip in nine points.
Emery will now take on South Summit, who lost to Waterford earlier Thursday, in the consolation semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Friday.
