The Norwalk basketball teams split a varsity doubleheader at Oskaloosa Friday night that was broadcast live on kniakrls.com (KNIA3).

The Norwalk girls let a fourth-quarter lead slip away in a 52-46 loss to the Indians before the Warrior boys overcame a slow start to win 77-42.

It was the fourth straight victory for Norwalk’s boys, who improved to 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. A hot shooting start propelled Oskaloosa to an early 15-7 lead, but it was all Warriors the rest of the way. They outscored the Indians 21-7 in the second quarter, 28-14 in the third and 16-4 in the fourth.

Norwalk put on a clinic in zone offense for much of the night, rotating the ball through the high post, hitting cutters and making the extra pass for open three-pointers. They also mixed in an effective zone press to disrupt Osky’s early offensive rhythm and force turnovers. Norwalk coach Aaron Pelzer credited the Indians for being really ready to play early and was proud of the Warriors for not panicking and for playing with good energy all night.

Junior Redek Born led Norwalk with five three-pointers and 23 points and has now scored 82 over the last three games. Braeden Carlson scored 14 points, Jack Brown had 13 and Aidan Harder added 12. Oskaloosa, which dropped to 1-10 on the season, was paced by Aidan Scholes’ four three-pointers and 17 points.

The Norwalk girls led 21-14 in the second quarter and 38-34 in the fourth, but a late 14-2 Oskaloosa run turned the game around and led to a 52-46 defeat. The Warriors are now 3-9 overall and 2-5 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. The Indians improved to 6-6 and 3-4, respectively.

Although several calls did not go Norwalk’s way during Osky’s pivotal surge, head coach Jill Martin says the Warriors must simply do the little things better and more consistently so that any bad breaks do not play a factor in the final result.

Bailey Birmingham led the Norwalk girls with 23 points while Avery Thomas and Kaylee Cary both knocked down three three-pointers for nine points apiece. Senior guard Presley Blommers scored 18 of her 23 points in the second half for Oskaloosa, making 7-of-8 free throws, and 6-foot-3 sophomore Dasia Foster had 18 points to go along with a big rebounding night.

The Norwalk girls return to action Monday night, hosting Carlisle at 7:30 p.m. The Warrior boys will have a week off before playing at Pella next Friday.