AMES — Turnovers and too many scoreless stretches kept the Fort Dodge girls from claiming a road win here Tuesday, as the Dodgers fell to Ames, 56-45.

Down by just four after the opening quarter, Fort Dodge was outscored in the second, 15-4, as the Little Cyclones took control.

LJ Maehl had a game-high 20 points, as Meah McCaleb added 11 for the Dodgers (4-5 overall, 1-3 in Iowa Alliance North). Maehl was held to just four at the half as Ames (5-5, 3-0) built a 30-15 lead.

Ellie Doster finished with five, Brooklyn Pommer added four, Dakota Pommer had three and Bella Lee had two for the Dodgers.

“We got behind early and went into turnover mode,” FDSH head coach Scott Messerly said. “We just didn’t want to move off their press. We expected our guards to work their magic.

“We just had too many careless mistakes. We need to play a more stable four quarters.”

Ames, who forced 36 turnovers, received a balanced effort, which was paced by 11 from sophomore Victoria Williams. Anisa Percival had 10 and Natalya Deardorff added nine.

Williams had nine of her 11 in the first half for the Little Cyclones, who have won five of six since starting the year 0-4. They currently lead the division standings as the lone unbeaten in conference play.

“I told them at halftime that I thought we were playing soft and not being tough with the ball,” Messerly said. “We just had too many turnovers.”

Fort Dodge returns to the court on Friday when they travel to Sioux City West.