ALHS boys can't contain USC

Staff

Published Tuesday, February 27, 2001

The Albert Lea High School boys' basketball team finally got a reprieve from the rugged Big Nine schedule.

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

The Albert Lea High School boys' basketball team finally got a reprieve from the rugged Big Nine schedule.

But it didn't turn out to be much of a break.

The Tigers hosted a scrappy United South Central squad and lost 61-51 in a nonconference game at ALHS Monday night.

It was yet another close, frustrating loss for coach Jason Bakke and the Tigers, whose overall record fell to 5-15.

"Once again, we didn't shoot the ball well," said Bakke.

The Tigers made 41 percent of their field goals, going 23-for-56. They shot only four free throws, making two.

The other telling statistic was rebounding, where the Rebels beat the Tigers 28-21.

"With our size, we shouldn't be beat on the boards," said Bakke.

The Rebels, 28-for-53 from the field, were 4-for-5 at the line while committing nine turnovers. The Tigers turned the ball over 10 times.

"USC played real well," said Bakke. "They played very hard."

They also led most of the way.

After a 10-10 tie at the end of the first quarter, USC pulled ahead 25-20 at halftime and extended the lead to 43-35 entering the third period.

The Tigers rallied in the fourth, tying it at 49 at the midway point, but the Rebels hit the key shots and Albert Lea committed some turnovers down the stretch.

Nick Cunningham led the Tigers in scoring with 16 points, followed by David Dahl with 10, Chris Rebelein six, Ben Woodside six, Tim Benesch six, Matt Ladwig four and Josh Kasper three. Ladwig had five steals.

Travis Wermedal was the Rebels' top scorer with 18. Cole Iverson scored 14, 12 of them in the second half. Adam Grunzke added six, Jon Beyer and Dusty Niebuhr four apiece, Mitch Forderer two.

The Tigers return to Big Nine play Friday, hosting Mankato West. The Rebels travel to Waseca Friday for a South Central Conference game.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---