ROCHESTER &8212; Trailing by 13 points at halftime the Albert Lea boys&8217; basketball team made a big comeback in the second half and had a chance to tie its game with Rochester Mayo in the final seconds. However, like so often this season, the ball did not fall for the Tigers who dropped their 14th straight game 53-51.

The Tigers were led by A.J. Kortz who had 16 points, R.J. Polley added 12 and Corey Dieser chipped in with 10, but it was the defensive effort that let the Tigers back into the game.

The Spartan&8217;s two biggest impact players &8212; Jordan Hicks and Lucas Kuipers &8212; were limited to just 22 points between them in the game.

The Tigers last chance to tie the game saw the ball bounce off the rim. The loss was the third in a row for Albert Lea by three points or less and the first one in that time not to go to overtime.

The Tigers (1-14) travel to Faribault Tuesday.

N-K 54, North Butler 51

NORTHWOOD &8212; The Northwood-Kensett boys&8217; basketball team posted its biggest win of the season Friday night knocking off Class 2A second-ranked North Butler 54-51.

The game was tight throughout with the Class 1A fifth-ranked Vikings holding a one point lead after the first quarter before North Butler tied the game at 31 at the break.

North Butler would take a 45-42 lead into the fourth but the Vikings took over the lead in the final two minutes to get the win.

Dan Bestul led the Vikings with 19 points, Jake Weisert added 12 while Cody Hanson was held to four. North Butler was paced by Tanner Wangness&8217; 14 points.

Both teams hit five 3-pointers in the game but the Vikings were 5 of 7 from the free throw line while their opponent went 4 of 9.

The Vikings host Nashua-Plainfield Tuesday.

Lake Mills 80, Garner-Hayfield 77

LAKE MILLS &8212; Lake Mills&8217; Steve Hengesteg poured in 34 points and dished out six assists as the Bulldogs held off Garner-Hayfield 80-77 Friday night.

The Bulldogs had a five point halftime advantage and stretch it out to seven by the start of the fourth before they had to hold off a late charge by the visitors.

Lake Mills enjoyed a big advantage at the free throw line connecting on 20 of 27 attempts while G-H shot just 13 free throws in the game.

&8220;Steve Hengesteg had an outstanding performance on both ends of the floor,&8221; Lake Mills head coach Kyle Menke said. &8220;Mitch Storby played great defense, and Lars Christianson commanded the interior.&8221;

Both Storby and Christianson finished with 13 points apiece.

Lake Mills is now 9-5 on the season.