It took all 32 minutes to decide the outcome of Carbon’s home matchup against North Sanpete Friday night. After squandering a late fourth quarter lead the Dinos were able to get a Gage Daugherty free throw with five seconds left to escape with the 54-53 win.
The win gives the Dinos a 3-2 Region 12 mark and a home matchup with Richfield on Tuesday could give Carbon a tie for second place in the region standings.
The Hawks jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first quarter before Daugherty hit is only three of the game at the 5:50 mark to get the Dinos on the board. Carbon struggled offensively in the opening frame and fell behind after one, 16-9.
Carbon responded in the second with a quick 4-0 run to cut the lead but a 7-0 run by North Sanpete in the middle of the quarter pushed the lead back to eight, 25-17. Carbon then ended the half on another 4-0 run to trail 25-21.
A big third quarter for the Dinos began quickly as Mitch Olson connected on a five-footer at the 7:35 mark. After a Hawk bucket on the next possession, Daugherty was fouled on a three-point attempt and sunk all three. Down just one, 27-26, the Dinos took their first lead of the game, 29-27, on a Kasey Moynier three at the 6:10 mark. Carbon would lead by as many as seven in the quarter, 38-31, before heading into the final quarter up 42-36.
Carbon took its first 10-point lead, 49-38, on a Moynier lay in at 4:45 to cap off a 9-2 Dino run before things got a lot more interesting. North Sanpete responded to the 11-point deficit with a 15-2 run that was capped off by a Hawk three pointer at the 1:20 mark to take the 53-51 lead. Brad Williams then toed the charity stripe with 53 seconds left and tied the game on two successful three throws. After a missed free throw by North Sanpete on the following possession, Daugherty was fouled with five seconds left and made one of two free throws. A Hawk three at the buzzer fell short to give the Dinos the hard-fought victory.
Jamin Jensen led the Dinos with 10 points. Daugherty had nine and Moynier and Olson poured in nine and eight points, respectively.
Carbon (12-8, 3-2 Region 12) will host Richfield (10-7, 3-1 Region 12) on Wednesday in Price. The game can be viewed live on ETV Channel 10 at 7 p.m.
Watch highlights of the game below: