The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team excelled on defense but sputtered on offense Friday in a 67-47 loss at Rochester Mayo.

“We forced 29 turnovers, but we need to turn them into more points,” said Albert Lea head coach Lucas Kreuscher. “Defensively, we were flying around. I was happy with that.”

At halftime, the Spartans led 30-17, but Albert Lea increased its offensive output by 13 points in the second half.

Tesloch Kuey led the Tigers with 12 points, and Cody Scherff added all 11 of his points after halftime.

“We did a better job of pounding the ball inside in the second half,” Kreuscher said.

Albert Lea scored four points in transition, and Kreusher said his team aims for about 20.

Despite a tough start to the season, the Tigers (3-7 overall, 1-4 Big Nine Conference) have kept their heads up.

“These guys have been working their tails off, and their attitudes have been good,” Kreuscher said.

The loss came on the heels of a 54-52 win over New Ulm at the Windom tournament on Dec. 28.

Look for the score from Albert Lea’s game Saturday at Byron in Monday’s Tribune.

Next, the Tigers will host Mankato West at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Mankato West (8-3 overall, 4-2 Big Nine conference) is coming off a 77-76 home loss Friday against Rochester John Marshall.