Brandon Caruso of Mars passes the ball over Trinity's Michael Koroly in their PIAA Class 5-A playoff game at Moon High School Tuesday.

MOON TWP — Mars turned an unfamiliar position into a very familiar result.

The Planets found themselves down, 28-24, to Trinity in the third quarter of Tuesday night's PIAA Class 5A boys basketball second-round playoff game.

Then the team's offense, which had struggled most of the night, came to life and a stingy defense held its ground to lift Mars to a 49-40 victory at Moon High School.

“It wasn't pretty, but at this time of the year, it's just survive and advance,” said Planets' coach Rob Carmody. “I love it.”

For more about Mars' latest win, read Wednesday's Butler Eagle.