Albert Lea knocks off previously undefeated Kasson-Mantorville on the road

The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team played its second road game of the season Saturday and knocked off previously undefeated Kasson-Mantorville 58-56.

“With Cody Scherff out with an injury, we knew everybody would have to step up,” said Albert Lea head coach Lucas Kreuscher.

That they did. Tesloch Kuey led the Tigers with a double-double, 14 points and 16 rebounds. Goding Wal scored a team-high 16 points and Dedoch Chan added six points and nine rebounds.

“All eight guys contributed and had their moments,” Kreuscher said. “It was important for this team to be in a close game and close it out when it really matters.”

The Tigers trailed the majority of the first half but never by more than five points, Kreuscher said. In the second half, Albert Lea took the lead and extended it to 10 points. However, the KoMets came back with consistent 3-point shooting to cut their deficit to two points with six seconds left. Kasson-Mantorville had a chance to tie the game with a basket and win with a 3-pointer.

“Our defense was outstanding. We got some traps and they didn’t get a quality shot off,” Kreuscher said. “I was really happy with how we defended.”

Albert Lea (1-2 overall) hosts Austin at 7:30 Tuesday in its Big Nine Conference opener. Earlier this season, the Tigers lost 59-36 at home against Red Wing and 67-28 at New Prague. Austin is 2-0 in nonconference play with a 60-45 win at New Prague and a 66-46 win at home against Marshall.

Kasson-Mantorville lost its first game of the season after beating Kenyon-Wanamingo 89-23, Goodhue 50-48, Triton 59-48 and Cannon Falls 73-65.

“It’s something we can build on,” Kreuscher said.