Unable to hold a fourth quarter advantage, the Emery Spartans fell to the San Juan Broncos 59-57 in the regular season finale Friday night in Blanding.

Outscoring the Broncos 39-30 in the first half, the Spartans accumulated a double-digit second half. The Broncos slowly chipped away and took only their second lead of the game in the closing seconds of regulation as Jaxon Torgerson connected on two free throws.

Brax Jensen posted a team best 16 points as Emery dipped to 5-7 in Region 15 action. Easton Gordon and Kyson Stilson both contributed 12, while Cade Brazier finished with seven.

Needing a win to force a tie with Emery for the No. 4 seed in the division, the Broncos received a huge boost from Torgerson, who scored 18 points. Jaden Torgerson finished right behind with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Ryan Imlay scored nine off of the bench.

Immediately following the conclusion of the game, a coin flip tiebreaker was held to determine which team would be the higher seed. Emery won the toss, and was awarded the No. 4 seed, meaning San Juan will enter the State Championship Tournament No. 5.

The Spartans will now turn their attention to the State Tournament, which will officially begin Saturday at Wasatch High School in Heber. Faced with a win-or-go-home situation, Emery will face South Summit, the No. 3 seed from Region 13.

Saturday’s matchup will mark the second meeting of the season between the two schools this year. The first took place back on Dec. 15, and ended in Emery’s favor 70-62.