DODGEVILLE – Outscoring the host Dodgers, 17-4 at the free throw line last Friday night, made all the difference in Lancaster’s five-point victory in Southwest Wisconsin Conference boys basketball action. 

With Friday night’s 63-58 win over the host Dodgers, coach Brian Knapp’s squad improved to 3-2 in league play, and currently sit in a second-place tie with Prairie du Chien in the league standings. Both teams are a game and a half behind River Valley (4-0), who has had their game with Richland Center postponed from last Friday night.

Against the Dodgers last Friday night, Lancaster could have given themselves more of a cushion had they made more than 17-of-32 (53%) free throw attempts on the night. Still, it was a far cry from what the Dodgers did at the line, making just 4-of-13 (31%).

Lancaster 63, Dodgeville 58

(from Friday, Jan. 24, at Dodgeville)

Lancaster 29 34 - 63

Dodgeville 23 35 - 58

Lancaster - Preston Noethe 10, Hayden Knapp 9, Dawson Bowen 22, Aaron Murphy 9, D.J. Kelley 4, Cole Raisbeck 3, Ryan Gallinger 1, Hayden Wagner 5. Totals - 20-44, 17-32 63.

Dodgeville - Dillon Garthwaite 15, Garrett Busch 1, Branden Brennum 6, Will Borne-Mumm 9, Peyton Tranel 24. Totals - 23-51, 4-13 58.

3-point goals - L: (6-17) Bowen 4, Murphy 1, Wagner 1; D: (8-27) Mumm 2, Tranel 5. Team fouls - L 18, D 25. Fouled out - Berg (D).

Fennimore 77, Lancaster 65

(from Monday, Jan. 27, at Fennimore)

Lancaster 26 39 - 65

Fennimore 39 38 - 77

Lancaster - Preston Noethe 6, Hayden Knapp 6, Dawson Bowen 20, Aaron Murphy 11, Cole Raisbeck 5, Hayden Wagner 17. Totals - 22-51, 14-20 65.

Fennimore - Warren Adam 7, Adam Larson 14, Brady Larson 18, Kellen Kenney 27, Jacob Young 8, Druw Fifrick 3. Totals - 32-63, 8-12 77.

3-point goals - L: (7-23) Knapp 1, Bowen 4, Murphy 1, Wagner 1; F: (5-14) A. Larson 1, B. Larson 4. Team fouls - L 15, F 16. Fouled out - None.

(For complete coverage of this game, get your copy of the Jan. 30, 2020 issue of the Grant County Herald Independent.)