FARIBAULT &8212; Aided by a big advantage at the free throw line the Albert Lea girls&8217; basketball team picked up a win over Faribault Tuesday night 59-51.

The Tigers hit 21 of 34 free throws while the Falcons went to the line just 11 times in the game.

The win was the fourth in the Big Nine Conference for the Tigers and gives them a leg up in the section race.

&8220;This was huge because they are a section opponent and we were battling to stay out of that eighth spot,&8221; Albert Lea head coach Karol Hansen said.

The Tigers jumped out to a 36-22 lead at halftime before Faribault rallied to within three in the second half. However, Albert Lea would hit its free throws down the stretch to cement the win.

&8220;We were able to get them in foul trouble early and we took better care of the ball tonight which is big for us.&8221; Hansen said.

Abbey Arends led the Tigers with 15 points and seven rebounds while Hali Hendrickson added 13 points and 12 boards for the double-double.

Hendrickson is now just three points shy of tying the Tigers&8217; all-time career points scored mark. The record is currently held by Pam Stoltz at 1,183.

Albert Lea is back on the road

Friday when it travels to Winona.