The Emery Spartans closed out the boy’s basketball season with a 78-73 win over the Manti Templars Saturday afternoon, earning a third-place finish in the 3A State Championship Tournament at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.

Trailing 35-33 at the end of the first half, the Spartans outscored Manti in each of the final two quarters to earn the season ending win. Trailing by as many as eight in the third, Emery received a huge boost from Cade Brazier who knocked down six three-point shots, four of which came in the second half.

Kyson Stilson closed out his stellar Emery career with 28 points and 11 rebounds to go along with two steals. Brazier ended with 25 points, converting seven-of-ten attempts from deep. As a team the Spartans shot an efficient 45-percent from the field.

Brax Jensen, who continued to impress with an overall performance, just missed out on a triple-doubled. Providing a third scoring option, Jensen finished with 14 points, ten rebounds and eight assists.

Manti seniors Mason Thompson and Adam Huff both scored 18 points to pace the Templars in the defeat. Dallin Cox contributed 12 points off of the bench, while Grady Thompson added ten.

Saturday’s third-place game served as a rubber match between the two teams who met twice in the regular season. Emery won the first in Castle Dale, but dropped an overtime thriller to the Templars in Manti.

Overall the Spartans end a highly successful season with a record of 18-8, including a 6-6 mark in Region 15 play.

Stay tuned to Castle Country Radio for a complete 2018-19 season recap in the coming days.