The Lady Spartans were caught in a physical matchup on Thursday evening when the Manti Templars came to the Spartan Center. Emery had a big third quarter and had to hold on in the fourth as the Templars gave them everything they had and held on to take the 60-49 win.

The win moves the Lady Spartans to 10-9 overall and 7-3 in Region 12 play. Emery also is sitting in the No. 8 spot in the RPI rankings which will soon be removed from viewing until the end of the regular season on February 7.

These two teams were evenly matched, and the first half showed that. The Lady Spartans worked their way through the first quarter working the ball down low through Katelyn Nielson, and building a 16-12 lead heading into the second. Manti came out trying to get an edge and cut into the Emery lead. The Templars would make a minor dent but both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with Emery on top 28-25.

In the third, Emery amped up their offense and defense and they outscored the Templars by nine to build a 44-32 lead headed into the fourth quarter, and they would need that lead. In the final eight minutes, Manti came out swinging as both teams combined for 33 points in the quarter, but Emery’s lead held and they took the 60-49 win.

Nielson led the Lady Spartans with 21 points and six rebounds. Skylee Guymon had nine and eight boards, and Jabry Sharp and Saige Curtis each scored seven with Curtis adding four rebounds in the win.

Tuesday, the Canyon View Falcons will be at the Spartan Center. The Falcons will enter the contest with a 15-4 record and hold the No. 2 spot in the latest RPI. Back on December 19 the two teams squared off in Cedar City with the Falcons squeaking out a 62-60 win.

Game time is set for 7:00 p.m..