Many times this season, Albert Lea High School girls’ basketball coach Karol Hansen has talked about the importance of playing four solid quarters.

Tuesday’s nonconference game with Fairmont was an example why.

The visiting Cardinals essentially won the game in the first quarter, when they jumped to an 18-3 lead. The Tigers spent the rest of the night trying to catch up but never did and lost 50-34 at ALHS.

Albert Lea saw its record slip to 3-11 while Fairmont improved to 4-6.

The Cardinals came out firing from long range, hitting two three-point baskets while taking a 9-0 lead.

Danielle Rankin put the Tigers on the board with 3:30 left in the opening quarter.

Jenny Hovendick and Jess Hanson sank back-to-back three-pointers to start the second, pulling Albert Lea within 18-9, but the Cardinals answered with an 11-0 run and took a 29-9 advantage into halftime.

Fairmont carried the momentum into the third, scoring the first two baskets for a 33-9 lead before the Tigers started their comeback, which included threes by Hovendick and Rankin.

A pair of three-point hoops by Nicole Rafdal got the Tigers within 44-27 early in the fourth quarter, but again the Cardinals responded with a run.

Rankin led the Tigers with seven points. Hovendick and Rafdal scored six, Hanson five, Amy Ravenhorst four, Ashley Helgerson four, Heather Stegenga one, Tiffany Bratten one.

Angie Hugeson had 12 points for Fairmont, including three three-point baskets. Leslie Schultz also scored 12, Ashley Rosenberg had 10.

The Tigers return to Big Nine play Friday at Winona.