The Emery Spartans earned a crucial 81-76 win over the North Sanpete Hawks Wednesday night in Mount Pleasant.
Kyson Stilson poured in a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds to lead Emery in the win. Easton Gordon also delivered an efficient performance, ending with 21 points and four boards. The win ends a two game losing skid, and marks the first road region win of the year.
“We’ve got confidence in each other, and we have chemistry,” said Stilson. “We’ve been through this before losing leads twice before, and now that we have experience in keeping that lead. We have 100-percent confidence in each other.”
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Spartans outscored the Hawks by seven in the second to take a 41-33 lead into the break. The lead extended to 15 in the third quarter, but North Sanpete refused to go away.
A 9-0 North Sanpete run in the fourth quarter put the game in doubt for the Spartans. Following an Emery timeout, Stilson scored seven consecutive points to put the game out of reach.
“The game just happened to play my way. I think any of us out there could have done it,” said Stilson following the win. “This was a must a win. If we lose this we are down towards the bottom of the region, if we win this we are back fighting for second or third.”
Junior Cade Brazier chipped in with 17 points, 15 of which came from beyond the three-point line. Sophomore Brax Jensen ended with 16, while pushing the tempo of the offense throughout the contest.
North Sanpete senior Shawn Taylor scored a team-high 20 points despite dealing with a hand injury. Spencer Steadman finished with 17 points, ten of which came in the first quarter. Ignacio Vasquez also reached double-figures, scoring 11.
Wednesday’s win moves Emery into fourth place in the highly competitive Region 15 standings. With three regular season games remaining. The possibility of climbing as high as No. 3 in the division still exists.
Emery will next return to the court on Friday to begin the final home stand of the season against Manti. Wednesday, Feb. 7 the Spartans will host senior night against the Grand Red Devils.
**Stock photo courtesy of ETV 10 News**