Despite holding a lead for the majority of the first half, the Emery Spartans were unable to keep pace with the Grand Red Devils in a 76-68 loss Wednesday night in Moab.
Looking to halt a menacing seven game losing skid, the Spartans started the contest on a 14-1 run as Riggs Griffin scored 11 quick points. The Red Devils countered with a 9-0 following a time out, and the two teams battled back and forth for the majority of the first half.
After taking a slim lead into the break, Grand took the lead for good with a 9-0 in the third quarter. Trailing by as many as 19 in the fourth quarter, the Spartans managed to climb within eight, but could get no closer.
“We created offensive from our defense to start the game,” said head coach Jeff Cisneros. “We played great defense for most of the night. It was our errors and unforced errors on the offensive that turned into easy buckets to them.”
Senior Treven Brazier led the way for the Spartans in the loss as he scored 21 points, nine of which came from the three-point line. Steady throughout the game, Brazier was also extremely aggressive in taking the ball to the basketball.
After scoring 11 points in the opening quarter, Griffin finished with 18 to help push the Emery offense despite dealing with foul trouble in the first half. Like Brazier, Griffin also connected on three attempts from deep.
Kysen Curtis gave the Spartans a boost off of the bench as he reached double-figures with 10 points. Jax Madsen ended the game with nine, all of which came from beyond the three-point line.
“For the most part we match and handled their athleticism,” said Cisneros. “They are a good basketball, no doubt about it. But if we keep working hard, towards the end of the season I don’t mind us matching up against any team on a neutral floor.”
Moroni Seely-Roberts posted a game-high 27 points to lead the Red Devils to their 13th win in 14 games this season. Malachi Seely-Roberts chipped in with 18 points and Ryelan Jones ended with eight.
Wednesday’s loss dips Emery to 2-9 overall on the season and 0-3 in Region 12 play. The team will now take one day off, before making the longest region road trip of the year Friday to Blanding to meet the San Juan Broncos.