The Carbon Dinos delivered an exciting second half performance, but their second half come-from-behind effort fell short in a 60-54 loss to the 4A Maple Mountain Golden Eagles in the season opener Tuesday evening at home.

Senior Kyle Quinton poured in a game-high 20 points for the Dinos in the home loss. Chase Morgan also reached double-figures scoring all of his 12 points from behind the three-point line. Jamin Jensen chipped in with eight points and Derek Hillam finished with with seven.

The Dinos ended an entertaining first quarter trailing 20-16. Maple Mountain managed to extend their lead to 10 after holding Carbon to just nine points in the second stanza. Carbon managed to chip the deficit down to four entering the third quarter, but could not complete the comeback win.

Dawson Beutler led four Maple Mountain players in double-figures with 15 points. Brad Bird scored 14, Will Rhatigan contributed 12 and Tyler Boyack finished with 10. The Golden Eagles secured the win despite Carbon doubling their makes from the perimeter.

Tuesday’s loss marks the fourth consecutive year that Carbon has opened the season with a loss to Maple Mountain. The Dinos have not started the season with a victory since 2011, when they defeated Palisades, Colo.

Carbon will have an opportunity to notch their first victory of the season when they return to the court on Dec. 1 in the Central High School Warrior Challenge, a pre-season tournament in Colorado. The Dinos will play three games in three days during the exhibition tournament.