It was a night to rise above.

And many would say they did: The streets of downtown College Park remained quiet last night as police and students danced together in the glow of firelight, and police horses rested in trailers just blocks away. Those who did not attend the university-sponsored bonfire wandered defeatedly back to apartments, houses and dorms, disappearing without a trace.

But in spite of the moral victory several said was won on Chapel Field last night, there was no win on the basketball court after Duke shutdown the Terrapin men’s basketball team. And students said that may have changed everything.

“Since we lost, the air is a little deflated around here. Everyone’s drinking their sorrows away,” said sophomore public health major Colin Humphreys. “Since they have cops from 15 counties here, I guess I’m going to go buy myself a sandwich, have a quiet night at home and go to class tomorrow.”

“If we had won, it would have been a lot crazier,” added senior physical sciences major Lee Ralston.

After a frenzy on Route 1 following last year’s March 3 Duke game that left students in handcuffs and the Prince George’s County Police Department under federal investigation, student and police relations deteriorated. Both suffered public backlash from around the country.

But this year, student leaders, university, city and police officials set out to ensure the game’s aftermath went off without a hitch.

A bonfire was lit, music turned up and — despite an increased police presence and cold weather — about 200 Terp fans gathered on Chapel Field to celebrate, regardless of of a 80-62 loss to Blue Devils.

However, if the night hadn’t gone so smoothly, police were already prepared.

Out of sight, in a parking lot on Calvert Road and Princeton Avenue, about 20 horses stood in trailers as the Maryland-National Capital Park Police waited in position — just in case.

Park Police Sgt. Rick Pelicano said the horses — used for “crowd management” purposes — make an appearance in the city when there is potential for problems, such as whenever the Terps face off with Duke. At about 12:40 a.m., the Park Police were sent home, told they wouldn’t need to control any crowds last night.

Some students and officials attribute this quiet leave to the bonfire, which was organized by the Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association and The Love Movement as a constructive outlet for the game’s emotions, whatever they may have been last night.

University Police Chief David Mitchell said besides the Terp loss, he was pleased with the night’s smooth sailing.

“The scene seems very calm, very cordial,” he said, standing outside a crowded R.J. Bentley’s at about midnight.

And to repair the relationship between student and police relations, a tranquil night — without last year’s mounted officers, pepper spray and brandished batons — was needed.

Members of the two groups even mingled around the bonfire, as some students attempted to teach the police how to “do the Dougie” and others asked them if they wanted to crowd surf. That offer was respectfully declined.

But other students, such as senior psychology major Brad Schachat, were disappointed by the lack of excitement.

“I’m just trying to riot,” he said after the game. “I just want people to get rowdy.”

Bonfire creators anticipated this sentiment, however, and organized the event to prevent any follow-through.

“We want people to be dancing and goofing off; we’re happy with this,” University Police spokesman Sgt. Ken Leonard said, standing among students milling around the bonfire. “I haven’t heard anything over my radio all night — no problems, property destruction, arrests or violence. We’re very happy with that.”

With student marshals patrolling the crowd and gates keeping students 30 feet away from the fire in every direction, the event was kept under control.

“All of the student marshals were on time and eager to help. It was just a great event overall,” said Love Movement President Ben Simon, who supervised the peer patrollers. “Anytime you put a conga line, crowd surfing and banana and gorilla suits together, you’re gonna have a party.”

For SGA President Steve Glickman, who helped organize the event, progress was measured simply.

“Nobody’s in the fire,” Glickman said. “Big success.”

The fired was doused out with buckets of ice just before 1 a.m.

And as the coals burnt low, it seemed the tensions left by last year’s chaos may have also gone up in smoke.

Senior staff writer Alissa Gulin contributed to this report. news at umdbk dot com