A 13-0 run by the Emery Spartans to begin the fourth quarter catapulted the team to an important 61-45 win over Manti Wednesday night in Castle Dale.
Emery avenged its only loss in Region 15 play, losing to the Templars 65-59 on Jan. 27 in Manti.
Koby Butler and Bowdie Jacobson combined for 43 points on the night (Butler 22, Jacobson 21). Bryce Dugmore hit double figures in the win with 11. Kolton Butler connected for seven points.
After a 16-12 first quarter by Emery, Manti scored the first six points of the second to take its first lead at 18-16. The Templars would keep the lead for the next three minutes until Kolton Butler connected on a driving lay-up with 3:20 to go in the half that began a 9-0 run by the Spartans that led to a 33-28 lead at the half.
Emery led by as many as seven in the third before Manti cut the lead to six, 44-38, after three quarters of play.
A close game in the first three quarters became a blowout in the fourth as the Spartans went on a 13-0 run to begin the quarter to lead by 19, 57-38, with 3:37 to go in the game. Emery coasted to the 61-45 win.
Emery (18-2, 8-1 Region 15) can do no worse than co-Region 15 champions because of its win against Manti. San Juan was tripped up Tuesday night at North Sevier, dropping them to 7-2 in region action. Emery and San Juan will face each other Friday night in Castle Dale to conclude the regular season. If the Spartans win, they would win the region title outright. If they lose, both teams will be crowned co-champions of Region 15. A coin flip would then determine playoff seeding in the upcoming 2A playoffs that begin next week. Friday night’s game can be viewed live on ETV Channel 10 at 7 p.m.
Watch highlights of the Emery/Manti game below:
