The Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team fell twice during the regular season to Glenwood, but they were able to knock off the Rams when it mattered most. The Trojans fought for a huge road win over Glenwood 63-59 in the Class 3A Substate Semifinals on Thursday night.

It was an intense game with six lead changes and a late chance for the Rams to tie that rattled in and out. Atlantic hit four threes in the first quarter and jumped on top 20-14. The Rams opened up the second quarter with a 10-0 run to grab the lead back and held the edge at half 35-32.

Atlantic clawed their way back in front in the third on some free throws. A big momentum shifter came after Atlantic had gone up 41-38. Ryan Blum tried to tie it up with a quick three but missed and Grant Sturm grabbed the board and heaved it down the floor to a streaking Skyler Handlos who flushed it down with a dunk on the other end, forcing Glenwood to call a timeout. The Trojans led 46-43 at the end of the third. Glenwood grabbed a brief lead at 49-48 before Ethan Sturm came up huge. Sturm was fouled on a rebound and got the chance to shoot a one-and-one on the other end. He knocked down both shots to put Atlantic back in front and followed that up with a monster three the next possession to put the Trojans up 4. Atlantic used the foul line to keep the lead two possessions for a while. Ryan Blum came up with a big bucket plus one to get Glenwood within 3. The Rams had a chance to tie with 15 seconds left and Blum gave it up to Caden Johnson in the corner for a good look at a three that rattled out and Grant Sturm came up with the rebound. After missing three straight free throws prior, Sturm got the last one to give the Trojans a four point lead with 8 seconds left and seal the win.

The Trojans took advantage of a bountiful night at the free throw line, connecting on 18 of 26 attempts. Skyler Handlos finished with 22 points, Grant Sturm had 13, and Dayton Templeton had 10. The Trojans improved to 14-6 on the season and have won 11 of their last 12.

Ryan Blum dropped in a hard fought 37 points to lead Glenwood. Handlos did a great job defensively on Blum most of the night but he made a lot of tough shots anyway. The scoring depth was lacking for the Rams though, as no one else got into double figures. Glenwood ends their season at 20-3.

Atlantic advances to face Dallas Center-Grimes in the 3A Substate 8 Final on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. DC-G picked up a 39-34 win over ADM in the other Semifinal. The site of the game is yet to be determined. We’ll have coverage on KJAN Monday night with pregame at 6:45 p.m.

Listen back to the replay of the thrilling game and postgame interview with Coach Ebling HERE.