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OGDEN- Tied at 31-31 entering the fourth quarter of a 4A first round game against Roy, the Spanish Fork Dons understood the importance of the moment.
A chance at a quarterfinal berth hung in the balance for the winner, and a chance to move ever closer to a state title.
It was the Dons who rose to the occasion, scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter to rise over the Roy Royals, 53-44, at the Dee Events Center on the campus of Weber State University in Ogden.
Spanish Fork jumped out to a narrow 12-9 lead after the first quarter, and held a 19-17 halftime lead. However, Roy outscored the Dons 14-12 in the third quarter, until Spanish Fork went on its fourth quarter run.
Spanish Fork outscored Roy 22-13 in the fourth quarter.
The Dons shot 56.3 percent in the second half, while holding the Royals to 10-of-25 shooting. Spanish Fork also had plenty of second-half opportunities at the charity stripe, making 15-of-16 free throws.
Benson Rhees led the Dons, scoring 18 points while going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. Taylor Anderson also contributed 15 points.
Roy’s Cody Hobbs led the Royals with 13 points.
Spanish Fork will play Bountiful, which had a narrow 58-56 win over Murray, in the 4A quarters on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:10 pm at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.