The Emery Spartans made the trip back over Indian Canyon on Saturday to face the Uintah Utes in Vernal. Last Wednesday, the Spartans were in Roosevelt and lost a tough game to Union. The game Saturday against the Utes started slowly for the Spartans, and the lead the Uintah had was too much to overcome as Emery fell 69-51.

Emery was playing up two classifications as Uintah is in 5A. This is the Utes first year in 5A, last year in 4A they lost in the quarter finals to Ridgeline.

The Spartans started out slow scoring just 13 in the first half to Uintah’s 28. The Spartans had no answer for the Utes Josh Speirs who scored 20 on 8-of-16 shooting and was perfect from the foul line.

Luke Justice led the Spartans with 13, Wade Stilson dropped 12 to go with four rebounds and two assists and Brett Rasmussen added 11 with seven rebounds in the Emery loss.

Up next for the Spartans is a home contest Wednesday with American Leadership Academy.

After the game Wednesday, they will be home again Friday night when they face North Sanpete. They will then be off till Dec. 28 when they travel to Cedar City for the Steve Hodson Classic.

The game on Wednesday night is set for tip-off at 7 p.m..