Brett Rasmussen dropped 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Emery Spartans rallied from seven down in the fourth quarter to grab a 68-63 win over the Richfield Wildcats Wednesday night at home.
Trailing by two with 5.5 seconds remaining in regulation, Rasmussen hit two free throws to send the game into overtime. The Spartans outscored the Wildcats 10-5 in the extra period, improving to 3-1 in Region-12 play.
“The kids just kept playing, kept working and kept battling,” said head coach Dave Justice following the emotional win. “I’m super proud of everyone on this team. I’m just kind of at a loss of words right now.”
The Spartans entered half time with a five point lead, but quickly found themselves playing from behind midway through the third quarter. They wouldn’t hold the lead again until the opening possession of overtime.
Trailing by as many as seven in the fourth quarter, Emery erased a five point deficit late in the contest by forcing key turnovers that turned into instant offense. Trailing by two with 5 seconds left in regulation, Richfield fouled Rasmussen 10 feet away from the basket, putting Emery’s senior center at the foul line with the game on the line.
Rasmussen calmly sank both foul shots, but the Wildcats had one more opportunity to win in regulation. Emery’s Creek Sharp was called for a blocking foul with just 3.3 seconds remaining on the clock. Richfield’s Cort Moon missed the front end of the one-and-one, which led to overtime.
“I was shaking during the timeout. I think I’m like 13-percent from the foul line this year and it was going through my brain that I have to hit these,” said Rasmussen after the win. “After I made the first it gave me the confidence and I knew I was going to make the second.”
Emery captured its first lead since the third quarter on the opening play of overtime, going up 60-58. Richfield took its final lead of the game on the ensuing possession as Miles Barnett hit a three-point shot to put the Wildcats up 61-60. Zack Tuttle scored all five of his points in overtime, including a critical and-one three-point play. The Spartans would then use an 8-2 run to end the game and earn its third straight league victory.
Luke Justice scored 14 points and handed out seven assists to go along with four steals in a well-balanced effort. Wade Stilson added 13 points, seven boards, four blocks, four steals and four assists. Talon Tuttle also reached double-figures as he finished with 11 points.
“Richfield is such a great program and Rand (Janes) does such a great job, so we kind of measure ourselves against Richfield,” said coach Justice. “Our kids now feel like we can compete against great teams like Richfield, so it’s a good feeling.”
Emery is now locked in a tie with the Canyon View Falcons for the top spot in Region 12 with identical records of 3-1. Wednesday’s loss drops Richfield to third-place at 3-2.
