Add another gold trophy to the state's largest collection of basketball hardware. Powered by a 19-2 run in the second quarter, top-ranked Provo claimed its 12th state championship Friday with a 72-59 win over Murray in the 4A title game at the Dee Events Center.
"This year was desire," said Provo senior Kris Cox, who finished with a team-high 23 points. "We just wanted it so bad."And what the Bulldogs wanted, the Bulldogs got.
"I thought we played real well," said teammate Matt Williams. "We just got down to business and focused."
Provo overcame a 12-11 deficit with the decisive run over a four-minute span in the first half. Reserve Nate Wright paced the burst with seven points, while Williams added four.
However, defense dictated the tempo. The Bulldogs held the Spartans without a field goal for almost six minutes in seizing control of the contest.
"That was a great defensive effort," said Provo coach Craig Drury. "The press established what we wanted to do."
Murray eventually climbed to within 30-21, but settled for a 16-point halftime shortfall when Provo capped the quarter with a 7-0 burst.
However, the Spartans weren't quite finished, yet. Jeff Johnsen and Josh Lambourne combined for 12 points in a third-quarter run that closed the gap to 43-38.
"I'm extremely proud after a jittery, nervous first half, that were able to show a lot of pride," said Murray coach Gordon Kener. "I thought given the predicament they were in, the guys came out and fought their guts out."
Provo answered the challenge with a 7-0 run similar to its second quarter effort. Leading 50-38, the Bulldogs withstood a final Spartan charge - which allowed Murray to pull within 52-46 with 6:20 to play - by hitting 15 free throws down the stretch.
"I'm really happy," said Drury. "It's tough to have a 16-point lead and have the same intensity in the second half."
The Bulldogs maintained their composure with a feverish defense that limited Murray to just 38 percent accuracy from the field.
"I can't say enough about Provo's scrappiness," said Kener. "They really came out and played with poise. Provo did a great job. They deserve a lot of credit."
What about a celebration?
"I didn't plan one," said Drury. "I didn't want to jinx it."
The triumph not only ended an eight-year title drought for Provo, but also snapped Murray's 18-game winning streak.
Williams finished with 14 points for the Bulldogs, while Kelly Brimhall added 13. Johnsen led Murray, which was seeking its first state title in 64 years, with 23 points. Lambourne chipped in 13 and Jordan Greenwell contributed 10.
In consolation action:
East 65, Ogden 51
East started off the final day of play by claiming fifth place with a win over Ogden. The Leopards shot 64 percent from the field for the game to just 37 percent from the Tigers.
Darin Zwick paced East with 17 points. Josh Gardner added 11 and John Hammer chipped in 11.
Brent Moore scored 23 points for Ogden, who finished in seventh place.
Spanish Fork 60, Tooele 50
Kris Jex scored 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and Josh Davis added 20 for Spanish Fork on 9-of-12 shooting to lift the Dons to a 60-50 win over Tooele for consolation honors (6th place).
Davis blocked two shots, giving him a total of 18 in four games. Tooele was paced by 14 points from Graig Warner.
Spanish Fork won three games in a row after losing to Murray on opening night.
Mountain Crest 71, Payson 70
Eric Baugh paced Mountain Crest with 16 points and Vance Roberts added 15 points and 11 rebounds to give the Mustangs a 71-70 win over Payson for third place.
The Lions were led by Lincoln Taylor with 26 points and Joel Ockey with 25.