Creston outscored host Perry by a stunning 21 points at the free throw line Thursday to help fuel a 79-64 win over the Bluejays in a regular season and non-conference finale.
The Panthers (10-11) attempted 39 shots from the foul line, connecting on 30, while Perry stepped to the line 17 times, converting nine such attempts. Creston was 17-of-21 from the line in the first half and 13-of-18 after the break.
Perry (5-17) trailed, 18-10, after one quarter and found themselves in a 37-25 hole at the break, with 17 of Creston’s points coming from the foul line and six more on a pair of 3-pointers, with the team hitting only seven traditional field goals.
The hosts were unable to trim their deficit to single digits in the third frame, which ended with the Panthers holding a 61-46 lead. The teams played even in the final eight minutes to account for the final score.
Kylan Smallwood was 9-of-13 at the line and Evan Jacobson 12-of-14 with the pair scoring 28 points apiece to lead the charge for the visitors. Cael Kralik added nine points, Cole Higgins and Jaden Driskell five apiece and Eli Loudon and Devin Baker two apiece to cap the scoring.
Rashon Ivory led Perry with 15 points, with Tanner Duffy adding 14 and Drew Levan 12. Connor Nielsen tallied nine points, with six points from Luke Rathje, five from Jacob Huffman, two from Keghan West and one from Devin Booth completing the scoring list for the Jays.
Perry will visit Harlan Monday for a Class 3A Substate 8 Quarterfinal. Creston will battle Carroll at 6:30 p.m. with the Bluejays and Cyclones to tip at 8 p.m. The winners will meet, in Harlan, at 7 p.m. Thursday, with the Feb. 26 Substate Final tentatively scheduled to be played at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln. Atlantic faces Denison-Schleswig and ADM battles Glenwood Monday on the opposite side of the bracket.
