The Emery Spartans opened Region 12 play with a 72-55 loss to the Richfield Wildcats Friday night at the Spartan Center in Castle Dale.

Using a stellar defensive performance, the Wildcats methodically pulled away from the Spartans as they won each of the first three individual quarters.

Despite being slowed offensively the Spartans shot an efficient 49-percent from the field, including 36-percent from deep. The struggles came in ball security as they committed 14 turnovers, nine of which came in the first half.

Senior Riggs Griffin led the Spartans offensively with 11 points to go along with eight rebounds. Griffin was one of three Emery players to reach double-figures.

Jax Madsen finished with 10 points, while Kysen Curtis gave the Spartans bench a push by also scoring 10. Treven Brazier chipped in with nine and two others scored four.

Emery struggled to contain Richfield point guard Max Robinson, who poured in a game-high 26 points on 64-percent from the field. A stellar first half from post player Connor Holroyd resulted in 13 points for the game to help push the Richfield offense.

The Spartans had little time to dwell on Friday’s setback. The team had to rise early and travel to Layton for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off with a top 2A squad in Layton Christian Saturday afternoon.

Unable to rebound from Friday’s loss, the Spartans suffered a 79-57 defeat, marking the sixth straight loss for the team.

Allowing 31 points in the opening quarter, the Spartans played from behind for the next three periods.

Griffin and Brazier led the team offensively as each finished with 17 points. Quintin Sorensen also provided a punch off of the bench with six points.

Now 2-7 overall on the season, the Spartans remain No. 14 in the UHSAA RPI Rankings.

The season will continue on Friday when the Spartans welcome in the Carbon Dinos to the Spartan Center. That contest will mark the first of two between the teams this season.

Live coverage of Friday’s tilt will air on KOAL 107.3 FM, 750 AM and KRPX 95.3 The Peak at 6:00 p.m..