In a microcosm of the night, with the game tied at 36-36 early in the fourth quarter, Atlantic grabbed several offensive rebounds in a possession, and then kicked out to senior guard Chad Christensen, who knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Trojans their first lead of the second half at 39-36.

That one play, with Atlantic receiving multiple attempts to put the ball in the basket, summed up the game for Creston, as the Panthers suffered their first loss of the season, 47-40 to Atlantic here Tuesday, in a battle of state-rated teams.

Creston entered the game ranked second in Class 3A, while Atlantic was ranked eighth. Atlantic improved to 10-1 for the season. The game did not count in Hawkeye 10 Conference standings.