MANKATO &045; There are some followers of the Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team who look at the Tigers’ record and, comparing it to most of the previous decade, say the 2002-03 season is already a success.

Head coach Matt Addington is not among them.

&uot;I refuse to lower my expectations for these guys,&uot; said Addington.

What he expected Thursday was a little more in the fourth quarter. The Tigers were outscored 18-9 down the stretch and lost 58-48 at Mankato West.

According to Addington, the Tigers had some struggles with the mental aspect of the game.

&uot;We had some brain-freeze tonight,&uot; he said.

They also faced a big deficit at the free-throw line, where they were 3-for-3 and the Scarlets 12-for-17. Albert Lea did not shoot a free throw in the fourth quarter, when West made eight of nine.

An even more telling statistic, according to Addington, was rebounding. The Scarlets held a 29-16 advantage on the boards, including 11-5 on the offensive end.

The Tigers started fast, taking an 11-2 lead, but only led 15-13 at the end of the first quarter. Albert Lea was up 23-21 at halftime. West was on top 40-39 after three periods.

The Tigers were 22-for-46 from the floor but only 1-for-14 on threes, while West made two of six three-point shots and 22 of 44 overall from the floor. Albert Lea had 14 turnovers, Mankato West 12.

Ben Woodside led the Tigers with 28 points and five assists. Tyler Young had 12 points and five rebounds.

The Tigers’ record fell to 3-8 in the Big Nine and 8-8 overall while West improved to 6-5 and 9-6.

The Tigers have a tough game Tuesday against Rochester John Marshall at ALHS.