Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Carson Peterson scores for Fort Dodge on Monday against Marshalltown. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

It wasn’t the end result that Willie Williams wanted, but the Fort Dodge first-year head coach saw signs of improvement on Monday.

The Dodgers held a lead for much of the first half against Marshalltown here last night, but Bobcat star Armonniey Thomas took control of the game late, lifting the visitors to a 64-56 victory.

Thomas scored a game-high 25 points, including 19 over the final 16 minutes — including 12 in the decisive fourth quarter.

“Really good players take over like that,” Williams said. “Our kids battled and fought and we were right there. It’s tough to get over that hump, but I like what we did and I like what we showed.

“We played as a team, we coached as a team and we competed as a team.”

For the Dodgers, three players reached double figures, led by 15 points from both Monterius Altman-Abrams and Javion Jondle. Drake Callon added 14, with both Jondle and Callon grabbing five rebounds each.

Jondle started fast, scoring six points in the opening quarter and nine in the first half as FDSH held a 27-18 edge at the intermission.

Altman-Abrams had six, Callon four and Alex Underwood four at that stage of the game.

“Alex played one of his best games of the year,” Williams said. “Javion stepped up, Monty stepped up…the guys really came together out there on the court. We want to be playing our best basketball moving forward and I thought we took a step in that direction (Monday).”

Thomas, who reached 1,000 career points earlier this season, asserted himself after the break. He used his speed to get to open spots on the court and attempted 12 shots from the free throw line over the final 16 minutes, including 10 in the fourth.

“We were in a 1-3-1 and it seemed to bother him early,” Williams said. “But they started hitting outside shots (Marshalltown made seven 3-pointers) and we had to go man. He’s a tough player to defend and showed that.”

The Dodgers were able to trim the deficit down to six, but would get no closer.

Bradley Vodraska recorded six rebounds and Callon had three steals.

Fort Dodge returns to action Tuesday when they host Southeast Polk.

MARSHALLTOWN 64, FORT DODGE 56

Fort Dodge — Monterius Altman-Abrams 5 1-2 15, Carson Peterson 1 0-2 2, Drake Callon 3 8-9 14, Alex Underwood 3 0-0 6, Javion Jondle 7 0-1 15, Jonny Astor 1 0-0 2, Bradley Vodraska 1 0-0 2, Pry’Shayn Mosley 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 9-14 56.

Marshalltown — Armonniey Thomas 8 9-12 25, Grant Greazel 0 0-2 0, Drake Kapayou 5 2-2 15, Dalen Huston 4 0-1 8, Jaxson Eisenbarth 4 2-2 10, Brayden Weatherly 0 0-0 0, Drake Polley 1 0-0 3, Ivan Alvarado 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 13-19 64.

Quarter scores: Marshalltown led 14-12, Fort Dodge led 27-18, Marshalltown led 39-37. Three-point goals: Fort Dodge 3 (Altman-Abrams 2, Jondle 1), Marshalltown 7 (Kapayou 3, Eisenbarth 3, Polley 1). Total rebounds: Fort Dodge 27, Marshalltown 28. Steals: Fort Dodge 5, Marshalltown 2. Turnovers: Fort Dodge 12, Marshalltown 11.