After picking up a win Friday to open the New Year, the Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team fell to the Creston Panthers  54-41 on Saturday Night. The contest was one of momentum swings in which Creston capitalized on a little more than the Trojans. After a low-scoring first quarter, Creston was able to open up their lead in the second quarter. Although Atlantic grabbed momentum and was able to cut into the lead in the third, it would not be enough. Creston, led by Jake Hoyt who scored a game-high 21 points, would pull away again to claim their second victory of the season.

Offense was at a premium in the first quarter. Both sides managed just a handful of buckets for a combined 7 points in the opening four minutes. Unfortunately for the Trojans, the quarter was marked by a lengthy scoring drought. After the game’s opening field goal from Gavin McLaren, Atlantic did not score again until another McLaren bucket with 2:58 left to go in the quarter. Atlantic would hit just one more field goal in the quarter as Grant Petty hit his first of six as Creston finished the opening frame with an 11-6 lead.

The second quarter was Creston’s most complete period of the ball game. They moved the ball well and they rebounded well. Even when they didn’t get outright rebounds they made it difficult for Atlantic to clean up on the defensive glass. The Panthers also moved the ball around the Atlantic press, giving them several easy buckets around the basket. The Trojans again had difficulties finding points in part due to the Panthers’ defense as Creston would take a 28-16 lead into the locker room.

While the Panthers played some of their best basketball in the second, Atlantic played their best in the third quarter. Kinnick Juhl got the momentum started for Atlantic, completing back-to-back three-point plays. Throughout the third quarter, Atlantic was able to cause more turnovers, possess the ball more, and force Creston into some foul trouble. With some help from two three-pointers each from Petty and Hunter Nelson (including a buzzer-beater from Nelson to end the quarter), Atlantic was able to bring the deficit to seven.

Despite the momentum being with the Trojans to start the final frame, Creston grabbed it back and never relinquished it. The Panthers were able to keep Atlantic to at least a 10-point cushion until the final buzzer. The win for the Panthers moved them to a 2-5 record, while Atlantic fell to 2-6. Head coach Dalton Franken said the lack of offense and solid defense from Creston led to other mistakes from the Trojans.

One of the bright spots for Atlantic was Nelson, who finished the game with a pair of three-pointers and 8 points and Franken liked what he saw.

Petty was also crucial to the Trojans’ efforts. He finished the game with 15 points while knocking down three triples to lead Atlantic in scoring. Franken said that Petty along with Nelson kept Atlantic in the game and is proud of the work Petty continues to put in.

The Trojans will be back in action Tuesday when they visit Glenwood.