With a shot in the semifinals on the line, the Emery Spartans left it all on the court in a thrilling come-from-behind 78-73 overtime victory over the Summit Academy Bears Thursday afternoon in the 2A Quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center.
The Spartans trailed for most of the game, but mounted a huge comeback with just a few minutes remaining to tie the game at 66 at the end of regulation. Dillon Wilstead hit a three pointer with 31 seconds left in the game and added a free throw to cut the Bear lead to 64-63. After two free throws by Summit Academy, sophomore Bowdie Jacobson hit a desperation three pointer to tie the score at 66 with just five seconds remaining. Kevin Butler then blocked a Summit Academy shot at the buzzer to force overtime.
In the overtime period, the Spartans raced out to a seven-point lead, 73-66, before the Bears were able to cut the deficit 75-73. Tai Justice, who sprained his ankle in the third quarter, split a pair of free throws to extend the Spartan lead to three. Tyson Roper then made two free throws to seal the victory.
Emery scored 33 points in the fourth quarter, its second highest offensive output in any quarter all year. The Spartans trailed entering the fourth quarter by 12, 45-33.
Wilstead, Emery’s leading scorer on the year, scored a game-high, tying 15 points after scoring just two points in the first half. Jacobson pitched in 15 as well. Roper poured in 14, Koby Butler 12 and Ridge Nielson added 10.
Emery advances to play the South Summit Wildcats on Friday at 7:30 p.m in a semifinal matchup. South Summit upended Parowan 58-46 in the 9:30 a.m. game on Thursday.
