WINONA &045; The Winona boys’ basketball team is tough to beat on its home court, and the Winhawks had a five-game winning streak.

The Albert Lea Tigers didn’t much care.

Albert Lea started hot and never trailed while winning 71-68 in a Big Nine game at Winona Friday night.

The Tigers, 6-11 in the conference and 11-11 overall, took a 26-17 first-quarter lead behind eight points from Tom Munden and five apiece by Ross Habben, Mike Behrends and Ben Woodside.

Albert Lea led 39-32 at halftime and 57-48 after three quarter and, facing some fierce defensive pressure, held off Winona with free throws in the fourth.

Winona fell to 9-6 in the Big Nine and 12-7 overall.

The Tigers made 19 of 22 free throws and were 25-for-51 from the floor, including 5-for-11 on threes. Winona was 14-for-18 at the line and 24-for-58 from the field, 4-for-21 on threes.

Woodside finished with 20 points, making all seven of his free throw tries. He also had six assists. Behrends totaled 15 points and eight rebounds, making six of seven free throws. Tyler Young had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Munden added nine points, Habben seven.

&uot;Tyler Young was huge tonight,&uot; said Albert Lea coach Matt Addington. &uot;Woody played real intelligent basketball, and our role players again stepped up. It was a great effort. We left it all on the floor.

&uot;The last two weeks, this team has made tremendous strides. We have matured as a group. We’ve had some lights come on. We’re real close to being prepared for the section.&uot;

The Tigers host United South Central in a nonconference game Tuesday.