Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Juliet Thompson of Fort Dodge reacts late during her team’s victory over Marshalltown on Saturday. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

Saturday’s Senior Day turned into quite the moment for Fort Dodge’s Juliet Thompson and Ebonee Altman.

The duo was honored before the contest with Marshalltown inside the Dodger gym, and each player filled key roles in leading FDSH to a 42-34 victory — its first of the season.

Thompson had seven points and six rebounds, with Altman adding four boards and a pair of steals for Fort Dodge (1-17 overall, 1-11 in the CIML Iowa Conference).

“It was exactly what these girls needed,” FDSH head coach Scott Messerly said. “They needed to get a win, and what a great time to do it. They’re both great teammates who do a lot of the little things for us.

“I thought Juliet’s defense was the difference in the game. She did a great job on Erica Johnson.”

Johnson came in as Marshalltown’s leading scorer at 9.5 per game, and while she did have nine points, just four came on field goals. Alyvia Chadderdon led the Bobcats with 11, but Marshalltown (2-15) was only 11-for-47 from the field and committed 23 turnovers.

The Dodgers led 10-2 four minutes into the game and built a 13-point lead late in the first half. Tory Bennett, who had a game-high 15 points on her 15th birthday, tallied seven in the second quarter.

Sophomore Cheyenne Miller-Hameed added 13 points and nine rebounds, with classmate Tristin Doster chipping in seven points. Fort Dodge had just 10 turnovers in the contest.

“We did a nice job of taking care of the basketball,” Messerly said. “I thought we were patient on offense early. Coach (Baileigh) Ashbrook changed up our 2-1-2 a little, and that really opened things up for Tory and others. All the credit goes to her for that.”

Marshalltown had cut the deficit from 18 down to nine when Thompson drew a charge on Johnson that fouled her out of the game.

“Juliet drew two big charges on Johnson,” Messerly said. “I thought Juliet and Ebonee both played their best games of the year to get us this win.”

The Dodgers return to action on Monday at Des Moines North before hosting Des Moines East on Tuesday.

FORT DODGE 42, MARSHALLTOWN 34

Fort Dodge — Tory Bennett 5-8 5-10 15, Juliet Thompson 2-5 2-4 7, Cheyenne Miller-Hameed 5-17 2-6 13, Tristin Doster 2-2 0-2 5, Ebonee Altman 0-3 0-0 0, Jalen Adams 0-7 0-0 0, Aleah Pommer 1-5 0-0 2, Jebreauna Clark 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 14-47 9-22 42.

Marshalltown — Alyvia Chadderdon 3-15 4-5 11, Erica Johnson 2-6 5-10 9, Kyra Feldman 1-3 0-0 2, Madison Finch 3-13 2-2 8, Gabby Himes 2-5 0-0 4, Paige Werzberger 0-2 0-0 0, Priscila Vergara 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 11-47 11-15 34.

Quarter scores: Fort Dodge led 10-4, 23-8, 32-17. Three-point goals: Fort Dodge 3-14 (Bennett 0-2, Thompson 1-2, Miller-Hameed 1-2, Doster 1-1, Adams 0-6, Altman 0-1), Marshalltown 1-5 (Chadderdon 1-4, Finch 0-1). Rebounds: Fort Dodge 37, Marshalltown 39. Steals: Fort Dodge 7, Marshalltown 5. Turnovers: Fort Dodge 10, Marshalltown 23. Fouls: Fort Dodge 17, Marshalltown 18. Fouled out: Johnson, Finch.