The scene couldn’t have been set better for Abbey Arends.

Arends, a senior for the Albert Lea girls’ basketball team, scored her 1,000th career point on senior night at Albert Lea High School in a 49-48 victory over Rochester John Marshall.

Arends made a baseline layup midway through the second half to give the Tigers a 30-29 lead — their first of the second half — and led the team with 24 points to help give Albert Lea its fourth consecutive victory.

“I put in a lot of time in the offseason to be the best player I can be and I’m glad I can accomplish it,” said Arends, who became the third player in Albert Lea girls’ basketball history to score 1,000 points.

It was Arends’ lone personal goal at the start of the season and it felt better knowing the Tigers also won the game.

“It wouldn’t have mattered if we wouldn’t have won this game.”

Arends needed 13 points to reach 1,000 and scored 10 before halftime. She hit her first two 3-point attempts and looked poised to get the milestone out of the way early.

But the wait was worth it as her shot turned the momentum in favor of the Tigers despite a brief comeback from the Rockets. The shot Arends made resembled many of the baseline-drive shots she has made throughout her career and seemed fitting that such a valuable player hit such a meaningful shot in the game.

“As ugly as the win was, we need this to be verified for her,” said Albert Lea head coach Sean Gillam.

Albert Lea had several chances to put John Marshall away after Arends gave them the lead, but missed free throws and turnovers kept the Rockets in it. Fortunately for Albert Lea, John Marshall failed to do anything with the opportunities.

The Tigers led by five with a minute to go when John Marshall scored four straight points to pull within one.

Arends hit a pair of free throws with 17 seconds to go and the Rockets made a last second shot for the 49-48 final.

Albert Lea 49, John Marshall 48

John Marshall 24 24 — 48

Albert Lea 24 25 — 49

John Marshall scoring: Kristi Thelen 15, Ashley Luedke 8, Megan Haynes 6, Millie Krolak 6, Katelyn Rushton 6, Jeanne Wesley 5, Allyson Sherden 2.

Albert Lea scoring: Abbey Arends 24, Morgan Stadheim 14, Mikaela Pierson 5, Taylor Friehl 3, Alyssa Sager 2, Sarah Wenum 1.