The Austin Packers refused to go away.

In the end, the Albert Lea Tigers were able to put them away.

The Tigers went on a 12-4 run late in the fourth quarter to secure a 68-58 victory in a Big Nine boys’ basketball game at Albert Lea High School Tuesday night.

It completed a regular-season sweep of the Packers for the Tigers, who improved to 5-10 in the conference and 10-10 overall while Austin fell to 3-12 and 4-13.

But the Tigers’ arch rivals refused to go down easily.

&uot;They’re just such a scrappy team, you never felt like a lead was big enough,&uot; said Albert Lea coach Matt Addington. &uot;They just keep coming at you.&uot;

Addington praised his squad for playing intelligent basketball.

&uot;I’m real proud of how our guys adjusted to situations I asked them to adjust to tonight,&uot; said Addington. &uot;I think we made some mental strides tonight. We played a lot smarter basketball.&uot;

The Tigers threatened to pull away more than once, but each time Austin answered. Albert Lea led 16-14 after one quarter, 28-23 at halftime and 44-42 at the end of the third period.

The fourth quarter was back and forth, with the Packers taking a 51-49 lead at the midway point, but that’s when the Tigers went on their run. Ben Woodside had a basket and two free throws and Tyler Young put in two offensive rebounds as the Tigers pulled ahead 61-52 with 1:35 remaining.

Austin called time out and, on the next possession, Young made one of the biggest plays of the night, drawing an offensive foul. Ryan Moore and Woodside made free throws down the stretch.

Woodside finished with 31 points, making 12 of 14 free throw attempts while adding three assists and three steals. Young had 14 points and nine rebounds, Tom Munden eight points, Stephen Thorn five points, five rebounds and four assists, Mike Behrends six points, Moore seven assists.

John Duren led the Packers with 18 points and five rebounds. Jon Bain had 10 points and eight rebounds, Tucker Shieck four points and four assists.

Young said the Tigers are making progress with four regular-season games remaining.

&uot;We’re getting there,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re stepping it up every day in practice.&uot;

The Tigers host Rochester Mayo in a rescheduled game Thursday.