AUSTIN – Midway through the second quarter, it looked like the Albert Lea Tigers were on their way to ending a frustrating losing streak.

Wednesday, January 10, 2001

AUSTIN – Midway through the second quarter, it looked like the Albert Lea Tigers were on their way to ending a frustrating losing streak.

Instead, the Austin Packers stopped theirs.

The Packers rallied from a 24-14 deficit and outplayed the Tigers the rest of the way while winning 63-52 in a Big Nine Conference boys’ basketball game at Austin’s Competition Gym Tuesday night.

The loss was the fifth in a row for the Tigers, who haven’t won since their season opener against Faribault. Austin ended a four-game skid, improving to 5-1 in the Big Nine and 6-4 overall.

The Tigers used their height advantage to their advantage while building their first-half lead, though 6-foot-5 Nick Cunningham and 6-4 Chris Rebelein spent a lot of time on the bench with three fouls.

The Packers, cold from three-point range in the first half, found their touch after halftime and took a 45-41 lead into the fourth quarter. Consecutive three-point baskets by Andy Erickson put the Packers up 51-41 early in the fourth, and another long three by Erickson gave Austin its biggest lead at 54-43.

Erickson led the Packers with 16 points. Cory Christopherson scored 14.

David Dahl, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, had his best game of the season for the Tigers with 22 points. He made six of seven free throws. Cunningham had eight points and 10 rebounds, Rebelein eight points and nine rebounds. Josh Ladwig contributed four points and seven rebounds, Ben Woodside three points and seven rebounds. Kyle Schrad added five points.

The Tigers made 17 of 44 field goals, including three of seven from three-point range, and 15 of 22 free throws. They had 42 rebounds.

The Tigers are home Friday to face Rochester John Marshall.