The Emery Spartans used the long ball early and often as they improved to 2-0 on the season with a 72-69 victory over Maple Mountain Tuesday night in Spanish Fork.

Cade Brazier scored a career best 25 points, including seven makes from beyond the three-point line, to lead a sizzling shooting night from deep. As a team the Spartans connected on 15 shots from beyond the perimeter, falling just five short of the state record.

“We shot the ball really well from the three-point area,” said Emery head coach Todd Jeffs. “I didn’t think we got to the rim real well because Maple Mountain is a physical team. They defended well and cut off some of our driving lanes, but fortunately we got the three-point shot working.”

Tyler Butler continued his stellar play by recording a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Brax Jensen also reached double figures with 12 points, while four others scored at least two in the win.

Brazier’s scoring output comes in his first start at the varsity level after coming off of the bench in the season opener against Delta. Playing the majority of the junior varsity game before, Brazier’s stamina proved to be a non-issue.

“He’s capable of doing that night to night, because he has a really nice stroke,” Jeffs said of Brazier. “Everyone on of his shots has a chance to go in and its exciting to watch.”

Braxton Tanner led the way for Maple Mountain, scoring 31 points and accumulating 11 rebounds. Nathaniel Hales finished with ten points and two others scored nine.

After slipping in a 22-16 hole at the end of the first quarter the Spartans outscored Maple Mountain in the next two stanzas. The difference proved to be the third quarter where Emery out punched Maple Mountain 21-10.

While the attention was on the offensive production, Jeffs contributed the win to the team’s work on the glass. Outside of Butler’s 11 boards, junior Kyson Stilson finished with seven rebounds and senior Easton Gordon finished with five.

“I thought we did a much better job of rebounding the ball in the third quarter by limiting their second, third and fourth chance points,” said Jeffs. “Tyler (Butler) had a huge hand in that. If he can provide us that kind of rebounding every night we’ll be really happy.”

Now 2-0 in the non-region portion of the season, the Spartans will travel to Richfield for a two-game in two-day stint for Central Utah Basketball Preview held at the Sevier Valley Center. Emery will first meet Morgan on Friday before wrapping up the weekend against Dixie on Saturday.

**Photo courtesy of ETV 10 News