DES MOINES — The Fort Dodge boys had their first victory since the season opener within reach on Tuesday, but Des Moines Roosevelt rallied late and scored with three seconds left to prevail by a 56-54 final.

The Dodgers (1-9 overall) led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the Roughriders (2-6) forced a handful of turnovers down the stretch to catch and pass FDSH. Antonio Alzheimer’s bucket in the closing moments broke the time and ultimately was the difference.

“It’s a tough loss. I’m disappointed for our guys, because they played hard,” Dodger head coach Tom Daniel said. “They’re still putting in the work, and it was a much better brand of basketball than (recent road losses at Marshalltown and Southeast Polk).

“We just had some costly turnovers, and we have to tighten things up defensively. (Alzheimer) dribbled right through our zone at the end and scored. That just can’t happen the way that it did.”

After being down a bucket at the end of the first period, the Dodgers were in control for most of the contest until the end. Fort Dodge was up eight midway through the fourth before mistakes allowed Roosevelt to rally.

Junior Dayson Clayton finished with a career-high 17 points to pace Fort Dodge, while classmate Averey Martin did the same with 14 — including 12 in the first half. Senior Tysen Kershaw and sophomore Monterius Altman-Abrams added nine points each.

“Dayson’s been really solid for us. He and Averey hit some big shots and logged a lot of mintues,” Daniel said. “We shot the ball better and ran our offense better (the Dodgers had scored less than 40 points in five consecutive games before Tuesday). They were battling and fighting.”

Romanique Hellems had a game-high 19 points for the Roughriders as the only DMR player to reach double figures.

“He was tough to contain,” Daniel said. “We weren’t trying to stall (nursing the lead late), but I do think we started to lose our aggressiveness and confidence in ourselves. That can happen when you’re struggling; it can be tough to close out games.

“You don’t want to play not to lose, but you also want to try and be patient and run some clock by spreading the court. It’s a fine line.”

Fort Dodge returns to action on Friday at West Des Moines Valley.

DM ROOSEVELT 56,

FORT DODGE 54

Des Moines Roosevelt — Ethan Lovan 2, Romanique Hellems 19, Jakari Bradley 8, DeAveon Oliver 4, Zerrick Gurley 6, Myles Burkhall 5, Antonio Alzheimer 6, George Williams 2, Will Tyler 4.

Fort Dodge — Asle Thorson 0, Tysen Kershaw 9, D’Arien Calahan 3, Jaheim Clayton 2, Monterius Altman-Abrams 9, Averey Martin 14, Dayson Clayton 17.

Quarter scores: DMR led 14-12; FD led 24-21, 43-38.