Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Tisyn Hook of Fort Dodge shoots against Des Moines Roosevelt on Tuesday. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Fort Dodge boys coach Willie Williams has been pleading for his team to extend its intensity and execution to four full quarters recently.

The Dodgers were much closer to that here on Tuesday, but Iowa Alliance South co-division champion Des Moines Roosevelt eventually fought their way to a 60-49 road victory — its 13th in the last 14 games.

Six-foot-5 guard Charlie King had 22 points and 6-5 teammate Remi Taylor added 17 for Roosevelt (14-5 overall), which got all it could handle and then some from FDSH on the program’s Senior Night. The Dodgers (4-16) led at halftime and were still within a single basket late in the third quarter, but the Roughriders closed that period with a quick 7-2 run and added 13 of the first 16 points in the fourth to finally gain the breathing room they’d been looking for all evening.

“We had about a four-or five-minute stretch where it got away from us,” Williams said. “It seems like we’ve had about two or a little over two good quarters (in recent losses overall), so this was better. I thought we really hung tough and gave them a competitive (ballgame). If we can keep making those, we’ll be in a much better position from here on out.”

Consecutive baskets by junior Tisyn Hook gave the Dodgers their first lead at 15-13 late in the first quarter, and a field goal by freshman Reggie Pederson put Fort Dodge ahead to stay with 5:47 left until halftime. Williams’ squad finished at over 50 percent from the floor and led 24-23 at the break.

The pinpiont shooting of junior Hayden Zuspann was a big reason why the Dodgers were able to stay within striking distance. Zuspann made 5 of 8 three-point attempts and had 17 points to pace FDSH.

The Roughriders attempted 23 more field goals than the Dodgers, though, using a distinct height advantage to create extra opportunities offensively. Fort Dodge also committed 19 turnovers — 10 more than the visitors.

“We have to keep focusing on getting that number down,” Williams said. “When (the opponent) has that many more chances than us because of turnovers, it really puts pressure on us to shoot well. We did that (last night), but it still wasn’t enough because we had maybe six or seven really bad possessions that cost us.”

Senior Carter Woodruff added 10 points, with classmate Cade Westerhoff contributing eight to go over 700 for his career. Westerhoff move past Tom Nelson into 13th on the school’s all-time charts.

“I really want to thank those seniors,” Williams said. “They put a ton of time and effort in behind the scenes, and they’ve been committed to our program from day one for four years. That’s a lot of hard work and sacrifices. I always get emotional looking back on all the times we’ve had together on and off the court.

“At the end of the day, all of this is bigger than wins and losses in basketball.”

Williams also noted the play of Hook and 6-foot-6 freshman center Brody Maehl, who helped neutralize Roosevelt’s length.

“I want teams to know that, win or lose, they’re in for a fight when they play us, and that we won’t go away,” Williams said. “Brody’s been giving us good minutes lately. Tisyn had two nice (baskets in the first period) and was productive for us.”

Fort Dodge closes its regular season at Perry (12-7) on Tuesday. The Dodgers will receive their Class 4A substate assignment at a later date.

DM ROOSEVELT 60, FORT DODGE 49

Des Moines Roosevelt — Charlie King 8-16 2-2 22, Remi Taylor 7-16 3-6 17, Markese Harvey-Bell 3-5 0-2 6, Iven Karla 2-9 0-0 4, Jack Kehoe 0-4 0-0 0, Kuaye Noah 2-4 1-2 6, Frank Lee IV 1-8 0-0 3, Finley Newman 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 24-65 6-12 60.

Fort Dodge — Hayden Zuspann 6-9 0-0 17, Carter Woodruff 4-8 0-0 10, Cade Westerhoff 4-8 0-0 8, Reggie Pederson 2-7 0-0 4, Brody Maehl 1-3 2-2 4, Tisyn Hook 2-2 0-0 4, Taevon Feeley 1-3 0-0 2, Tytrell Mosley 0-0 0-0 0, Tayven Altman 0-0 0-0 0, Gavin Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Kauner Jensen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-42 2-3 49.

Quarter scores: Fort Dodge led 15-13, 24-23; Roosevelt led 42-35. Three-point goals: Roosevelt 6-22 (King 4-8, Noah 1-1, Lee 1-5, Taylor 0-3, Kehoe 0-3, Newman 0-2); Fort Dodge 7-12 (Zuspann 5-8, Woodruff 2-4). Turnovers: Roosevelt 9, Fort Dodge 19. Total fouls: Roosevelt 12, Fort Dodge 11.