ANKENY — A slow start was too much for the Fort Dodge boys basketball team to overcome on Friday, as the Dodgers dropped a 57-43 decision at Ankeny.

The Hawks (2-0 overall) jumped ahead 20-6 by the end of the first quarter, and were up by as many as 21 points in the first half. Fort Dodge (1-2) climbed to within 11 points in the third quarter, but failed to get any closer.

“It was just too big of a hole to climb out of, but we competed and looked much better than we did on Tuesday (at Des Moines Lincoln),” FDSH head coach Tom Daniel said. “Our defense was at the intensity level it needed to be in the second half. We only gave up eight points in the third quarter.

“You just can’t get down like that early on the road. And we missed too many free throws (five of their first six and seven of 15 overall), which again, can’t happen against a quality ballclub like Ankeny. They don’t have a ton of size, but they’re a Top-10 level team that will contend in the CIML.”

Sophomore Monterius Altman-Abrams scored 10 points for the Dodgers, while senior Tysen Kershaw added nine. In his first varsity action of the season, junior Dayson Clayton contributed six.

“Dayson gave us really good minutes,” Daniel said. “Tysen got the looks he wanted, but they just weren’t falling in that first half. He was better after that.

“Monty did some nice things, and I thought Averey Martin did a nice job.”

Fort Dodge will play its fourth game of the opening week on Saturday at Urbandale. Varsity tip is set for 3 p.m.

ANKENY 57, FORT DODGE 43

Ankeny — Jaxon Smith 17, Jordan Kumm 15, Riley McWilson 3, Brecken Mannus 4, Ryan Crandall 3, Ron Mamuya 2, Grant Ganpat 1, Braden Simonsen 6, Nolan Otten 6.

Fort Dodge — Asle Thorson 6, Nolan Daniel 2, Tysen Kershaw 9, D’Arien Calahan 2, Jaheim Clayton 4, Monterius Altman-Abrams 10, Averey Martin 4, Dayson Clayton 6.

Quarter scores: Ankeny led 20-6, 35-16, 43-29.