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Albert Lea basketball girls fall at Rochester JM
Published Saturday, January 31, 2004
By Jim Lutgens, Tribune Sports Editor
ROCHESTER - It was crunch time, but the Albert Lea Tigers didn't realize it until later, when it was too late.
With 30 seconds left in the first half, the Tigers trailed Rochester John Marshall by three points, with a chance to pull even closer. But they missed a shot, the Rockets made two free throws and, at the buzzer, JM nailed a three-pointer, taking a 28-20 halftime lead.
It proved to be a key stretch as the Tigers lost 66-44 in a Big Nine Conference girls' basketball game at Rochester Friday night.
"That could have made a big difference," said coach Karol Hansen. "Instead of being down by three, we're down by eight."
And the Rockets carried the momentum into the second half, putting the Tigers away with an 18-9 third-quarter run. John Marshall led 14-10 after one.
Despite the loss, which dropped the Tigers to 0-9 in the Big Nine, Hansen remained impressed with their hustle and work ethic.
"I'm so proud of the girls in that they go out and play hard no matter what the score is," said Hansen. "I've got to believe we're earning the respect of teams in the Big Nine. In the past, they'd use all of their reserves early. Now, their starters are in at the end. We show a lot of heart when we step on the court - we just need a little bit of confidence."
The Tigers improved in several areas Friday, making eight of 10 free throws, outrebounding the Rockets 31-24 and limiting their turnovers to 18.
"We shot our free throws real well, we just didn't get there enough times," said Hansen.
They also had trouble stopping the Rockets' fast-break offense which produced six second-half lay-ups.
"They're very fast," said Hansen. "We need to work on our defensive transition."
The Tigers also struggled with their shooting.
"Our shooting percentage was way off, probably the lowest it's been all season long," said Hansen.
The Tigers' individual leaders: Danielle Rankin 14 points, six assists; Nicole Rafdal six points, three rebounds; Kat Ladwig seven points, two rebounds; Liz Thompson seven points, 11 rebounds; Heather Stegenga five points, four rebounds; Ashley Helgerson three points; Cara Thorn three assists, two rebounds.
"Ladwig and Thompson played real well tonight," said Hansen. "Rankin had her usual consistent game. When you get a few more depth players to step up, it helps."
Stegenga got in early foul trouble and had to sit much of the first half. She fouled out early in the fourth quarter.
Illness kept the Tigers' Staci Armstrong sidelined for the second game in a row.
After a rescheduled Saturday night game against Winona, the Tigers play Tuesday at Mankato West.
(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports@albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)
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