By late in the fourth quarter, the Albert Lea Tigers were without two of their starters.

Friday, January 19, 2001

By late in the fourth quarter, the Albert Lea Tigers were without two of their starters.

They made up for it – thanks to some of their reserves.

Josh Kasper came off the bench and scored the go-ahead basket as the Tigers defeated Winona 53-50 in a Big Nine boys’ basketball game Thursday night.

It was the Tigers’ first win since the season opener, snapping a seven-game losing skid and, according to coach Jason Bakke, it was well earned.

&uot;We had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get this win,&uot; said Bakke. &uot;With (Nick) Cunningham out the whole game with an ankle injury and (Matt) Ladwig missing the last couple minutes (with an ankle injury), it just goes to show how much of a total team effort it was.&uot;

The Winhawks, who like the Tigers had only one conference win coming into the game, were obviously hoping for a victory – especially with Cunningham, Albert Lea’s leading scorer and rebounder, sidelined with an injury.

It was back and forth throughout the first half, with the teams tied at 13 at the end of the first period. Winona was up 25-24 at halftime.

The Tigers took the lead early in the third quarter and held the Winhawks scoreless until 4:14 remained, taking a 36-31 lead into the fourth period.

There was 2:37 on the clock when Ladwig hurt his ankle.

Albert Lea led 50-47 when the Winhawks launched a desperation three-point shot in the final minute. Chris Rebelein went up for a block but was called for goaltending, giving Winona the basket and a 50-50 tie.

Kasper put in a rebound of his own shot with 3.2 seconds left, giving Albert Lea a 52-50 lead. David Dahl stole the ensuing in-bounds pass and was immediately fouled. He made the first of two tries.

The Winhawks called time out to set up a court-length in-bounds pass but it was intercepted by Rebelein, who tossed it high in the air as time expired.

Rebelein had one of his best all-around games as a Tiger, scoring 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds; he also had a team-high three steals. Ladwig had eight points and eight rebounds, Kasper six points, three rebounds and three assists. Ben Woodside scored seven, Dahl three, Kyle Schrad and Kevin Peterson two apiece. Peterson and Dahl had four rebounds apiece. Kasper and Dahl both had three assists.

&uot;Kyle and Josh came in and provided some nice minutes,&uot; said Bakke.

Albert Lea made 22 of 52 field goals and 11 of 21 free throws, compared to Winona’s 21-for-51 and 4-for-6. The Tigers outrebounded the Winhawks 31-25. Albert Lea had 10 turnovers, Winona nine.

The Tigers, 2-7, travel to Fairmont Monday for a nonconference game.