Unable to hold on to a fourth quarter lead, the Emery Spartans suffered a 56-50 loss to the Uintah Utes Wednesday night at the Spartan Center in Castle Dale.

Playing for the first time this week, the Spartans held a lead the majority of the contest. Up six at the break and at the end of the third quarter, the Emery offense ran dry over the final four minutes of regulation as Uintah earned the come-from-behind victory.

The Spartans were led by senior Riggs Griffin, who scored a team best 15 points in the set back. Nine of Griffin’s final total came in the second half as he connected on two of the team’s three makes from deep for the game.

Beau Cook delivered his most complete game of the season as he gathered 12 points to go along with three blocks. Luke Stilson delivered a second punch down low as he scored seven of his nine points in the first half.

While the Uintah offense was slow to start to the game Kamon Anderson carried the load by scoring the team’s first 14 points. After a slow second and third quarter, Anderson regained his form as he finished with a game-high 25 points, 21 of which came from the three-point line.

Morgan Mansfield helped push the Utes offense as he ended with 10 points. Mansfield connected on an important three-point shot in the fourth quarter to help erase a double-digit deficit.

Now 2-3 on the season the Spartans will look to end a two-game skid when they travel to Mount Pleasant to meet North Sanpete on Saturday. That contest is currently the last game scheduled before the Christmas break.