—Photo by Jake Ryder/Times Republican Fort Dodge’s LJ Maehl puts up a shot against Marshalltown on Friday in Marshalltown.

MARSHALLTOWN — After a week away from the basketball court, the Fort Dodge girls were able to get back on track on Friday night.

Eight days after a two-point heartbreaker inside Wells Fargo Arena, the Dodgers (3-3 overall, 1-1 Iowa Alliance Conference) bounced back with a 40-21 victory over Marshalltown (4-4, 0-2).

“The girls did a nice job from the start and they didn’t get any closer than nine or 11,” said Fort Dodge head coach Scott Messerly. “We did some nice things on the offensive end, but we still missed some open 10 foot jumpers. We got better later in the game.”

Fort Dodge had a strong first half, outsourcing the Bobcats 13-6 and holding them scoreless in the second quarter for a 20-6 halftime lead.

Junior LJ Maehl had 17 points, hitting seven field goals. Classmate Dakota Pommer also reached double figures with 10 points. Senior Meah McCaleb added six.

“LJ had a good night,” Messerly said. “The thing about Marshalltown was they jumped well and blocked a lot of shots, while getting a lot of hands on the basketball ball.

Maehl had eight rebounds, as well as Brooklyn Pommer and Maddie Hoshaw. McCaleb had four rebounds and six assists.

“I thought she (LJ) did a good job of rebounding and had a strong defensive game.

“She has upped her game, scoring wise and should start to get 20 to 25 a game.”

The Dodgers are back in action on Jan. 3 when they host Des Moines East in the Dodger gym.

“It’s nice to head into the break with a win,” Messerly said. “We aren’t having to adjust our days in between practices. It was good to see everyone get some minutes on varsity and some playing time for those girls on JV1.”

Fort Dodge 40, Marshalltown 21

Fort Dodge — Meah McCaleb 2 2-6 6, Brooklyn Pommer 0 0-0 0, Maddisen Hoshaw 0 3-4 3, LJ Maehl 7 4-6 17, Ellie Doster 1 0-2 2, Dakota Pommer 5 0-0 10, Addison Lentsch 1 0-0 2, Janelle Derrig 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 9-18 40.

Marshalltown — Millie Heitmann 1 1-2 3, Jorja Janssen 3 1-4 7, Ellie Hughes 1 0-0 2, Sydney Kapayou 1 1-2 3, Frankie Long 2 0-2 4, Nia Lott 0 0-0 0, Morgan Hilderbrand 1 0-0 2. Totals: 9 3-10 21.

Quarter scores: FD led 13-6, 20-6, 27-14

Three-point goals–Fort Dodge 1 (Maehl). Team Fouls–Fort Dodge 12, MHS 15. Fouled Out–none.