The Emery Spartans boys basketball team shined in the season opener as they defeated the 3A Richfield Wildcats 60-52 Tuesday night on the road.

Senior Koby Butler registered a double-double by scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Fellow senior Bowdie Jacobson helped pace the Emery offense with 18 points, and junior Easton Gordon chipped in with eight.

Defensively Emery held Richfield under double-digits in both the first and second quarters to open up 26-17 lead at the break. Extending the lead to 15 entering the fourth, the final eight minutes were a formality for the Spartans.

Stetson Southwick connected on five three-pointers to score a game-high 24 points. Jaron Stewart also reached double-figures for the Wildcats with a 12 point performance.

Eight different players scored at least two points for the Spartans in the opener. As a team Emery hit seven three-pointers, three of which came from Jacobson. The Wildcats did most of their damage from deep, scoring nearly half their points from the perimeter with seven makes.

The season opening victory is the beginning of a four game road trip for the Spartans. Next the team will travel to the 3A-2A Showcase on Dec. 2 and 3. Following a road contest against Green River on Dec. 6, the Spartans will play in the home opener against Millard on Dec. 9.