Albert Lea’s boys’ basketball team wasn’t able to stop Mankato West in the paint Friday and it resulted in the Tigers’ third consecutive loss.

The Scarlets (2-2) used dribble penetration to attack Albert Lea and raced out to a 38-19 halftime lead.

“The first half defensively we didn’t do a good enough job of taking away the paint,” said Tigers head coach Lucas Kreuscher.

Ethan Tramp and Nick Klaus scored 13 points each for the Scarlets and Preston Brunz added 11.

Albert Lea was led by Kyle Ooms, who scored 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.

Turnovers were an issue once again for the Tigers. After games where Albert Lea tallied 27 and 25 turnovers, the Tigers committed turnovers in spurts.

Albert Lea has a week off before the Tigers return to the court for the Tiger Classic Dec. 28. Albert Lea opens with Hayfield.

Mankato West 66, Albert Lea 41

Albert Lea 19 22 — 41

Mankato West 38 28 — 66

Albert Lea scoring: Kyle Ooms 17, Alik Smed 6, Silas Randall 6, Taylor Bordelon 5, Colby Strilaeff 4, Cameron Hove 3.

Mankato West scoring: Ethan Tramp 13, Nick Kaus 13, Preston Brunz 11, Phil Nelson 9, Jack Mages 7, Matt Wills 6, Brian Kurtz