The Indianola girls basketball team kept their season alive on Saturday night with a resounding 63-38 home win over Ottumwa, heard live on 94.3 KNIA. 

After falling behind 5-0 in the Class 5A, Region 1 semifinal, Indianola scored 25 unanswered points and went to halftime with a commanding 36-10 advantage. Ottumwa guard Alli Goedken made three 3-pointers as the Bulldogs found some offensive rhythm in a 19-point third quarter, but the Indians’ lead never dipped below 17 points in their second win of the season over Ottumwa.

Indianola’s impressive first-half surge was highlighted by the outside shooting of freshman Julia McGraw, along with tenacious team defense and rebounding. The Indians’ 2-3 zone defense in the halfcourt – and 1-2-2 press at times – helped force 19 total Bulldog turnovers. McGraw scored 15 of her game-high 20 points in the first half, knocking down four long-range threes on the night and also scoring off steals. The Indians also found success in the low post as junior Madison Grover scored 14 points and sophomore Eden Whitson had 11. Senior Lauren Olson added six points as nine Indian players broke into the scoring column.

Ottumwa, which entered regional play with 18 consecutive wins, finished the season with an 18-3 record. Goedken paced the young Bulldog squad with 13 points while freshmen Hayden Keith and Emma Ryder both scored 10.

Indianola improved to 14-8 overall and will now travel to Johnston to face the top-ranked, unbeaten Dragons in a regional final on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. Johnston defeated Urbandale 67-32 in Saturday’s semifinal round. Tuesday’s game can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA, starting with pregame coverage at 6:45.