Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Liza Van Zyl of Fort Dodge shoots over Des Moines Lincoln player Hannah McKinney last week inside the Dodger gym.

DES MOINES — The Fort Dodge girls basketball team is on the board.

On Tuesday night, the Dodgers (1-4 overall) cruised to their first victory of the season, easily knocking off Des Moines Hoover (0-4) 47-27.

FDSH held the Huskies to six first-half points in the rout.

“It was good to pick up a win heading to (the CIML Iowa Conference opener at) Marshalltown,” said Dodger head coach Julius Michalik. “I thought our defense was pretty solid, especially in the first half.”

The Dodgers allowed only two, four and seven points in the first three quarters in pulling ahead by double digits.

“We struggled to score,” Michalik said. “We couldn’t convert on some open looks, but we got the job done.”

In just her second game of the year, Fort Dodge senior Shareece Smith had a strong night, recording 21 points with six field goals, including one three pointer. She was 6-for-9 from the free throw line.

Classmate Liza Van Zyl added 10 points with five field goals, and Taelor Lessmeier had three buckets, including a triple.

The Dodgers had 17 baskets in all. They were 10-for-18 from the charity stripe.

The Huskies struggled from the field, connecting on seven field goals. They were 12 of 20 from the line.

“Shareece had a very good night,” Michalik said. “Raeya (Love) played well on defense. We had flashes of good defense all night long.”

The Dodgers travel to Marshalltown on Friday. Tip in the girl/boy doubleheader is set for 6:15 p.m.

FORT DODGE 47, DES MOINES HOOVER 27

Fort Dodge – Raeya Love 6, Shareece Smith 21, Taelor Lessmeier 8, Liza Van Zyl 10, Ebonee Altman 2.

Des Moines Hoover — Parman Chuol 5, Mabel Kouh 5, Deja Bates 8, Lorella Dean 10.

Quarter scores: FD led 9-2, 18-6, 32-13.