Looking to avenge their only defeat of the season, the Emery Lady Spartans welcomed the Richfield Wildcats for a matchup between 3A’s top two teams. Emery rebounded from an early double-digit deficit Tuesday night to beat number one Richfield, 54-45.
The Spartan Arena was packed with rabid fans, awaiting a rematch that was a few weeks in the making. The two teams kicked off Region 15 play back on Jan. 2 in Richfield. The Wildcats gave up just 11 first half points to the Lady Spartans en route to the 49-39 win, Emery’s lone defeat on the season.
It was much of the same in Tuesday’s game, with Richfield jumping out to the quick 18-6 lead in the first quarter.
Emery then went on a 12-0 run, spanning the first and second quarters, tying the game up at 18 on one of Lainee Jensen’s four threes on the night. Megan Jensen was also huge in the first half, scoring 12 of her game-high 19 points as she was doubled and triple teamed.
Emery turned in a defensive gem in the second quarter, only allowing two points (to the Lady Spartans 11) to 3A’s number one team.
Lainee Jensen got Emery going quickly in the second half, nailing a three to give the Lady Spartans their first lead of the game at 22-20. The Wildcats scored four straight to reclaim the lead before Lainee Jensen and Kacelyn Toomer went back-to-back from beyond the arc to snatch back the lead. Megan Jensen then capped off the 8-0 run with another bucket. Emery wouldn’t trail in the game again.
The Lady Spartans led by as many as 13, 52-39, in the fourth quarter before taking the revenge win, 54-45.
Behind Megan Jensen’s 19 and nine rebounds, Lainee Jensen poured in 12 points on four triples. Kinlee Toomer chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. Kacelyn Toomer added eight more points while grabbing eight boards.
Emery got the win despite shooting just 34% (15-44) from the floor, including a 6-22 clip (27%) from three-point range.
Emery (16-1, 6-1) will host South Sevier (10-7, 6-2 Region 15) on Thursday. The Lady Spartans beat the Rams 61-45 back on Jan. 4 in Monroe.
Watch highlights of the Emery/Richfield game below:
