Locked in a back-and-forth battle throughout the evening, the Emery Spartans were unable to overcome a fourth quarter deficit in a 55-50 loss to the Grantsville Cowboys Tuesday night on the road.

A virtual tie statistically in all major offensive categories, the Cowboys converted on 20 field goals compared to 19 for Emery. The difference in the contest came as Grantsville outscored Emery by three in the second quarter and two in the third.

Senior Brax Jensen ended with a team-high 17 points and 13 assists. Jordan Ekker continued to shoot well from beyond the arc finishing with four makes from deep for 12 points. Kyler Wilstead ended with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Tuesday’s loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Spartans, which began last week with a win over Maeser Prep. During the three game stretch Emery won each of the contests by more than 20 points.

Now 5-2 on the season Emery will return to the court Friday with a home tilt against South Summit. The Wildcats have struggled out of the gate, winning just two of its first six games of the season.

Following Friday’s home contest the Spartans will head into the lengthy Christmas Break, not playing another game until Jan. 4 against Gunnison.