The Indianola girls basketball team opened the season with an impressive home win over Urbandale on Monday night, using a big run in each half to beat the J-Hawks 59-41. The game was heard live on 94.3 KNIA.

Indianola trailed 8-5 in the first quarter, but finished the half on a 29-7 surge to build a 34-15 halftime advantage. Urbandale knocked down four 3-pointers in the third to pull within eight points, but again the Indians responded and quickly increased their lead to 18.

Indianola’s lone senior, Lauren Olson, scored a team-high 18 points and junior Madison Grover tallied 14. A pair of freshmen, Julia McGraw and Amelia Paugh, made big contributions off the bench with scoring and hustle plays on both ends of the floor. McGraw knocked down three first-half treys for nine points and Paugh added six points. Alexa Guyer also scored six points and Leia Graham had four.

Unofficially, the Indians outrebounded Urbandale 38-28 and forced 23 J-Hawk turnovers. They also converted 7-of-9 free throws in the second half. Indianola head coach Jeff Janssen was very pleased with the opening-night effort and tells KNIA Sports that the girls are well ahead of schedule compared to last year at this time.

Indianola returns to action on Tuesday, December 2, for a girl-boy doubleheader at Ottumwa. The girls game will tip off at 6:15.