Looking to capitalize on the momentum earned from Wednesday’s win against North Sanpete, the Carbon Dinos returned home on Friday, Jan. 17 where they welcomed the Juab Wasp for the start of the second round of region play. In a game that came down to the wire, the Dinos would fall 60-56 to the Wasps.

Carbon would open the game with an offensive explosion, with seemingly every shot they took finding the bottom of the basket. Whether it was in the paint or beyond the arc, the Dinos lit up Juab to the tune of 19 points while holding the Wasps to just eight.

Having settled after the first-quarter beat down, Juab tactfully worked its way back into the game in the second, uncorking its offense to the tune of 25 second-quarter points. This scoring explosion was aided by Wasp senior guard Austin Park, who scored 12 in the frame. This helped Juab reclaim the lead heading into the halftime break, 33-30.

Both teams would continue to trade baskets in the third period, with seniors Cannon Mortensen, Evan Lancaster and Maxwell Carlson excelling for Carbon. However, every time the Dinos would grab the momentum, Juab would answer in kind. This battle would enter the fourth with the Wasps up 52-45.

The final stanza would feature a valiant comeback attempt from Carbon, with junior Carter Warburton igniting a run midway through the frame that helped bring the Dinos within two. A defensive stand would set Carbon up with the ball down two with the shot clock off.

Time would continue to tick down into single digits before Warburton would sling the ball to Orth mid-cut to the basket. Unfortunately, the last-second layup would roll around the rim before falling harmlessly to the ground. An intentional foul from the Dinos would send Park to the line where both of his shots would connect. A half-court heave fell short and Carbon was defeated in heartbreaking fashion 60-56.

For the Dinos, Cannon Mortensen finished with 12, Warburton closed with 10, Kyler Orth ended with nine, Carlosn with six and Ty Mortensen and Lancaster each closed with five.

The loss brings Carbon to 4-12 overall on the season and 1-7 in region play. The Dinos now hit the road as on Wednesday, Jan. 22 they make the trip to Delta to face the Rabbits (8-8, 1-7 Region 12).

Live coverage for the game will begin at 6:30 p.m. on KRPX 95.3 the Peak with the Landon’s Diesel Service Pregame show with tipoff following at 7 p.m. The game can also be streamed on YouTube at Castle Country Sports-Carbon.