Despite being locked in a back-and-forth battle throughout the contest, the Emery Lady Spartans suffered a 60-53 loss to the Judge Memorial Bulldogs Thursday night in Salt Lake City.

Playing for the first time this week, the Lady Spartans managed to keep pace with Judge throughout the game. Trailing by six at half time Emery cut the deficit to four entering the fourth quarter.

Tambrie Tuttle and Baylee Jacobson both finished with 13 points to pace the Lady Spartans in the loss. Bethany Justice also reached the double-figure mark as she contributed 12.

The scoring for Emery was spread out as six players scored at least two points. Brynn Gordon and Addie Lester each logged seven points and Daicee Ungerman ended with two.

Defensively the Lady Spartans had little answer for Judge’s standout Teya Sidberry, who posted a game high 35 points. Averaging 34 points over the course of four games this season, the efficient offensive night marked the third straight 30-plus point game for Sidberry.

Now 1-2 overall on the season the Lady Spartans will have an opportunity to erase a two-game losing streak when they return to the court Saturday to meet 4A Hurricane. Currently 0-2 on the season, Hurricane will play Uintah Friday night before making the trip to Castle Dale on Saturday.