The Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team won their fourth straight game Tuesday night against the Glenwood Rams.  The Trojans shot an impressive 51 percent from the field (24-47), including going 7-20 from downtown.

With the win the Trojans improved to 6-8 on the year.

The Trojans’ offense was hot from the start.  Less than 30 seconds into the game, sophomore point guard Chad Christensen hit his first of four three-point field goals in the game.  Throughout the first, the Trojans defensive was also playing well, limiting the high-powered Glenwood offensive to only nine points.  The Trojans led 10-9 after the first quarter of play.

Less than a minute into the second quarter, Christensen hit his third and fourth three-pointers of the game. After another three-point basket by junior guard Blake Esbeck, the Trojans held their largest margin of first half at nine, 25-16.

After a three-point play by the Rams, Glenwood tied the game at 26 with two minutes remaining before the half.  The Trojans were able to erase the 10-1 run by the Rams by closing out the half on a seven-to-two run, to take a five-point lead into the break, 33-28.  Christensen led the Trojans with 14 points in the first half.   Junior Gunnar Blum had 10 points for the Trojans.  Senior Cole Darrow had 1o points to lead the Rams heading into halftime.

Early in the second half, the Trojans were taking the ball to the bucket.  Blum was able to use his strength to score four points early in the quarter.  Blum ended the game with 16 for the Trojans.  “I had a mismatch, so I took advantage of it,” Blum said.   The Trojans were able to run up and down the court, getting easy, uncontested lay-ups on the offensive end.    The Trojans led 51-46 after the third quarter.

After a three-point play by sophomore Dalton Franken less than two minutes into the fourth, the Trojans led 59-48 with six minutes remaining in the game.  The Trojans extended their lead to 15, 65-50 with less than half of the fourth quarter remaining, after two free throws by Christensen.   The Trojans built their largest lead of the entire game at 16, 73-57, with under a minute to play in the game, before the Rams got another bucket to end the game 73-59. 

Atlantic finished the game scoring eight of their final 10 points at the charity stripe.    The Trojans finished the game 18-26 from the free throw line.

Christensen led the Trojans with 24 points, including four three-point baskets, and hitting eight out of 11 free throws.

The Trojans held Glenwood to only 40 percent shooting from the field.   Glenwood was led by senior Cole Darrow with 22 points.

The Trojans handed Glenwood only their fifth loss of the season.

Atlantic travels to Neola Thursday night to take on the Trojans from Tri-Center High School in game two of a girl-boy varsity double header.