Century pounds Albert Lea boys’ basketball

Published 2:01 pm Saturday, January 23, 2010

Albert Lea’s game Friday with Rochester Century developed into a stark contrast of the previous two games where the Tigers played competitive games against Mankato East and Austin.

Albert Lea boys’ basketball head coach Lucas Kreuscher had few positive comments following the Panthers’ 73-31 blowout victory in Rochester.

“We weren’t ready in the pregame, we weren’t ready at any point,” Kreuscher said. “We had no energy and no enthusiasm and we played like it.”

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The Tigers entered the game on the heels of nine-point losses to East and Austin and Kreuscher said he expected the team to be excited to return to the court following two such performances, but it wasn’t the case.

“We were just flat,” Kreuscher said. “Nobody wanted to play, period.”

Albert Lea fell behind 43-16 at half and the Panthers had four players score in double figures.

Ater Manyang led Century with 18 points while Dan Fleissner scored 14, Jared Malone 13 and Mohamed Haji-Yusuf 11.

The Tigers played without sophomore post Kyle Ooms and junior guard Taylor Bordelon and were led in scoring by Tyler Wichmann. Wichmann scored eight points and no other Albert Lea player scored more than four points.

The Tigers do not play again until Friday when they play third-ranked Winona in Albert Lea.

Century 73, Albert Lea 31

Albert Lea 16 15 — 31

Century 43 30 — 73

Albert Lea scoring: Tyler Wichmann 8, Damian Montes 4, Silas Randall 4, Colby Strilaeff 3, Cam Hove 3, Aaron Klatt 2, Alik Smed 2, Marc Kreuger 2,Clayton Braaten 2, Ethan Abben 1.

Century scoring: Ater Manyang 18, Dan Fleissner 14, Jared Malone 13, Mohamed Haji-Yusuf 11, Nate Kruisselbrink 7, Carson Fossum 6, Joe VanGrinsven 2, Eric Sherden 2.