The Indianola girls basketball team had a lead at halftime against the J-Hawks of Urbandale in their season opening contest Tuesday night at home, but couldn’t hold on and fell 63-55 as heard live on 94.3 KNIA.

The Indians shot well from the free throw line in the first half, but would trail 15-14 after the first, but began to light it up from outside in the second quarter as they found their offensive groove to lead 33-27 at the halftime break. The J-Hawks turned up the defensive intensity in the second half as the Indians began to run out of gas, outscoring Indianola 20-11 in the third, and 16-11 in the fourth, that included only sophomore Lauren Olson scoring any points for the Indians in the final frame.

Head coach Jeff Janssen tells KNIA Sports while the scoreboard was not in their favor at the end of the game, he loved the effort that the players showed all game long, and loved even more their reaction in the locker room where they came out determined to improve from the game.

“I think that says a lot about where our program is at and where it can be. When we have that much leadership and that much communication, and kids caring about each other, you go to war with them, and our coaching staff definitely will with this group.”

Olson led the team with 25 points. The Indians fall to 0-1, and will next play on the road at Southeast Polk on Tuesday.