West Johansen’s go-ahead basket helped lift the Emery Spartans to an exciting 43-41 victory over the Delta Rabbits in the Region 12 opener Friday night on the road.

Faced with a double-digit deficit, the Spartans clawed back to tie the game at 41. Johansen attacked the basket deep into the shot clock, scoring the go-ahead bucket with just 10 seconds remaining. The Rabbits immediately attempted to push the ball up the court, but Emery guard Porter Hurdsman poked the ball away to secure the two-point win.

“Scott (Johansen) drives hard, gets past his guy, my guy goes to help, and I knew I had to go up quick and get this little jump hook,” said West Johansen after the game. “I didn’t do anything hard honestly. I just got a hook, I didn’t see a defender, so I got the easiest shot of the night.”

Johansen’s game-winner capped off an outstanding fourth-quarter push from the Spartans. After scoring just five points in the third quarter, Emery entered the fourth trailing 35-25. The final eight minutes were dominated by the Spartans, who closed out the game on an 18-6 run.

Emery’s run to win was keyed by four makes from beyond the perimeter. Scott Johansen, Jace Frandsen, and Devin Rasmussen all connected from deep. Moments before Johansen’s go-ahead bucket, Hurdsman hit a three-point jumper from the right wing to tie the game at 41.

“I’m so proud of the way they just kept fighting,” said head coach Dave Justice. “We preach all the time to keep shooting because you never know what is going to happen. So, I couldn’t be more proud of the way they competed tonight.”

Scott Johansen led the way with 12 points, four rebounds, and three steals. West Johansen also stuffed the stat sheet as he finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

The Spartans delivered their most well-rounded offensive performance as seven players scored at least two points. Hurdsman finished with seven, while Devin Rasmussen and Jace Frandsen chipped in with six.

Emery returned to the court the following day to earn a second consecutive win, defeating the Grand Red Devils 53-45 in a non region tilt. League play will resume for the Spartans on Wednesday as they welcome the Richfield Wildcats to the Spartan Center.