The momentum from a rally against Mason City the night before carried over for the Fort Dodge boys here on Tuesday, but Johnston eventually used its size and depth to pull away for a 66-47 victory.

The Dodgers trailed by just five points at 41-36 heading into the fourth quarter, but the Dragons (7-6 overall) finaly found a comfort zone late to secure the victory.

“We were right there until about the midway point in the fourth quarter,” FDSH head coach Tom Daniel said. “It got away from us a little at that point, because they started knocking down some (perimeter) shots and got us out of our zone. And we aren’t big or physical enough to keep up in man.

“It was a physical game that was freely called, which worked to their benefit. But I’m not going to complain at all about the effort. Our guys battled.”

Junior Dayson Clayton and sophomore Monterius Altman-Abrams had 10 points each for the Dodgers, while sophomore Carson Peterson came off the bench for a career-high nine. Senior Tysen Kershaw added seven points, six rebounds and three steals. Brycen Bell finished with eight points.

Sophomore Drake Callon — like Peterson, a recent varsity call-up — pulled down eight rebounds.

Fort Dodge led at the end of the first quarter, 15-12.

“Tysen was assertive, which is good to see, and Dayson’s giving us everything he has despite being banged up,” Daniel said. “Brycen knocked down some shots, and it was great to see Carson come in and gain some confidence.

“Drake was giving up seven inches or so underneath (to 6-foot-7 Johnston standout Max Roquet), but really held his own and fought to keep us in it. We were competing hard, like we did in the second half against Mason City, so that’s a start.”

Fort Dodge continues its recent homestand on Friday against West Des Moines Valley.

JOHNSTON 66, FORT DODGE 47

Fort Dodge — Monterius Altman-Abrams 3-10 3-4 10, Dayson Clayton 4-8 1-2 10, Brycen Bell 2-3 2-2 8, Tysen Kershaw 2-11 3-5 7, Drake Callon 0-4 0-0 0, Carson Peterson 3-8 1-2 9, Jaheim Clayton 1-2 0-0 2, Nolan Daniel 0-2 1-2 1, Asle Thorson 0-0 0-0 0, Bradley Vodraska 0-0 0-0 0, Ashton Hage 0-0 0-0 0, D’Arien Calahan 0-0 0-0 0, James Daniel 0-0 0-0 0, Javion Jondle 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-48 11-19 47.

Quarter scores: Fort Dodge led 15-12; Johnston led 28-23, 41-36. Three-point goals: Fort Dodge 6 (Bell 2, Peterson 2, Altman-Abrams, Clayton).