MANKATO &045; Three nights earlier, the free throws would not fall down the stretch for the Albert Lea High School girls’ basketball team in a nonconference loss at Northfield.

So the Mankato East Cougars did not hesitate to put them on the line again.

This time, things were different.

The Tigers made 15 of 25 free throws, including several key ones in the fourth quarter, and won 54-47 at Mankato East Tuesday night. It was Albert Lea’s first Big Nine victory of the season.

&uot;It was nice to get our first conference win on the road,&uot; said coach Karol Hansen. &uot;And it’s our first sweep of the season. The ninth-grade, B-squad and varsity won.&uot;

Hansen cited free throws and turnovers as the difference.

&uot;Our kids were forced to go to the line, and they made the free throws that needed to be made,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;The other factor, and it was big, is we took much better care of the basketball tonight.&uot;

The Tigers led 14-11, 27-25 and 41-37 at the quarter breaks.

Danielle Rankin continued to play well for the Tigers, totaling 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jenny Hovendick had 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, Heather Stegenga nine points and six rebounds, Amy Ravenhorst seven rebounds and three assists, Amber Edwards two assists.

The Tigers were without regular starter Jess Hanson, who’s expected to miss a week with an injured tendon.

&uot;We stayed focused for all 32 minutes, and we played excellent team basketball,&uot; said Coach Hansen. &uot;The officials commented to me on how well the Albert Lea girls carried themselves on the court.&uot;

The Tigers, 1-6 in the Big Nine and 3-11 overall, host Austin Friday.