The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team’s hot start wasn’t enough to get past a surging Winona squad Friday in Winona.

The Tigers scored the first six points of the game and built a 16-5 lead in the first half, said Albert Lea head coach Lucas Kreuscher.

“Our defense played really well starting out,” he said. “I was pleased with our offensive looks, and it was the most aggressive we’ve been attacking the hoop.”

For the remainder of the opening half, the Winhawks went on a 19-4 run en route to a 52-42 win.

Albert Lea’s Tesloch Kuey scored a team-high 10 points, and Cody Sherff led the Tigers on the glass with 12 rebounds.

Along with Scherff, Dedoch Chan had a productive day in the paint with five points, eight rebounds, a block and an assist.

“Dedoch did a nice job of demanding the basketball,” Kreuscher said. “We got him a good amount of touches, and most of the time he either made the basket or was fouled.

The Tigers struggled at the foul line, hitting 41 percent with 27 attempts. However, Albert Lea showed improvement in its transition game, outscoring the Winhawks 12-4.

“I felt like we took a step forward,” Kreuscher said.

The Tigers (3-10 overall, 1-6 Big Nine Conference) have lost four straight games. Albert Lea’s last win was 54-52 over New Ulm Dec. 28 at the Windom Tournament.

The Winhawks (6-7 overall, 3-4 Big Nine Conference) won their third straight game and six of their last eight after starting 0-5.

After Saturday’s home game against Stewartville, the Tigers host Mankato East at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.