The Indianola boys basketball team earned their first win of the season at home Wednesday night with a 52-35 victory over Oskaloosa, while the girls squad fell in the doubleheader opener 45-39 and both games were heard live on 94.3 KNIA.
After trailing 14-13 at the end of the first quarter, the Indianola boys took control the rest of the way. The Indians held Oskaloosa to 10 combined points in the second and third quarters, building up leads of 23-17 at halftime and 36-24 at the end of the third quarter. Indianola kept the momentum into the final eight minutes, pulling ahead by as much as 20 points, before grabbing the 17 point win to improve to 1-11 overall and 1-6 in the Little Hawkeye Conference. Three players scored in double figures in the Indians victory, with George Blake leading the way with 13 points and Easton McGraw and Hayden Schulte recording 10 apiece. Junior Andrew DeWall said that it was a great feeling to end their 11-game losing streak.
“We go into practice everyday working hard, but getting that first win and hopefully getting the ball rolling will help get more coming in later in the year. The guys worked hard, it was a great win tonight.”
Offense was hard to come by for the Indianola girls in the opening game of the doubleheader. After falling behind 12-9 at the end of the first quarter, the Indians responded with a 14-point second period to tie the game at 23–23 at the intermission. A strong defensive third quarter gave Indianola a narrow 31-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the final eight minutes were all Oskaloosa, as the visitors pulled out the six point win. Unofficially, Indianola managed to shoot just 27.2% from the field, while holding Oskaloosa to 30.6% shooting. Brynn Bishop was the lone player to score in double figures, posting 13 points on five of seven shooting. The loss dropped the Indianola girls to 4-11 overall and 4-3 in conference action.
Hear more about the Indians boys basketball victory over Oskaloosa from Andrew DeWall on Today’s Lely Radio Sports Page. The Indianola basketball teams now prepare for a Warren County rivalry match with Norwalk Friday night, and the doubleheader can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA.