Boys basketball playoffs: Morgan boys run past Emery in 3A quarterfinals
OREM — No. 1 Morgan High boys basketball used stifling defense to force 26 turnovers and hold No. 9 Emery (12-13) to 17% shooting from 3-point range in a 64-39 win in the 3A quarterfinals Wednesday morning at Utah Valley University.
Morgan (24-1) used a 21-3 run across the first and second quarters to take control, turning a 9-5 deficit into a 26-12 lead on a Kolton Asay 3-pointer with 3:42 left in the first half. A mini-run from Emery made the score 26-18 at the break.
After an and-one from Emery’s West Johansen to open the third quarter, Morgan removed all doubt with an 11-2 run, highlighted by dunks from Bracken Saunders and Mason Williams. The Trojans led 45-28 after three quarters.
Asay led Morgan with 21 points and five 3-pointers. Nathan Pace tallied 11 points and seven rebounds. Saunders added 10 points, four assists and four steals. Ben Russell netted nine points and Williams added eight. Jake Hansen scored five points, hauled in six rebounds, dished out five assists and swiped four steals.
Morgan advances to face No. 5 Juab (19-6) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinals at UVU. The Wasps beat No. 4 South Summit 59-39 to advance.


