In their first action of the 2017-18 season, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk girls basketball team fell to Ottumwa Tuesday night at Tim Grady Gymnasium in Wellman during their Hall of Pride scrimmage.

The Bulldogs took the game 55-54 on a deciding free throw with under 10 seconds remaining. The Hawks got out to a fast start, forcing Ottumwa turnovers and starting the game on an 11-2 run. Mid-Prairie led 13-5 after one quarter and 27-25 at the halftime break.

In the second half the Hawks again maintained control, leading 40-34 at the end of three. Ottumwa turned up the pressure down the stretch, the Bulldog defense forced 23 Mid-Prairie turnovers, including seven in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the night at 45-44 with five minutes left. It was a see-saw affair down the stretch with each team holding leads in the game’s final 45 seconds.

Addie Rath led the way for the Golden Hawks with 24 points and five boards. Shae Becker finished with 23 points. All gate proceeds from the event were donated to the Hawkeye Area Downs Syndrome Association.

The Golden Hawks open the season November 28th when they host the Tipton Tigers.