The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

The Tigers have been on a tear since Jan. 21, winning three of their last four.

“Moving forward, I like where we’re headed,” said Albert Lea head coach Lucas Kreuscher.

Albert Lea’s latest victim was Faribault. The Tigers beat the Falcons 56-54 Friday on the road to sweep the regular season series after a 60-49 home win on Dec. 17.

In the rematch, Albert Lea led by one point at halftime and extended its advantage to 13 points in the second half.

However, Faribault made a run in the closing minutes.

“We did a great job of keeping our poise even though it was chaotic at the end,” Kreuscher said. “We’d like to win by more, but our guys are gaining confidence in these close games.”

Kreuscher said free throws by Tyler Vandenheuvel and Jake Thompson helped seal the win.

Albert Lea’s defense was aggressive, and the Tigers didn’t have any turnovers in the first half.

“We were smart with the basketball,” Kreuscher said. “We were patient, and we moved the ball around.”

Vandenheuvel led the Tigers with 20 points. Four other players scored more than five points: Jakob Kilby, Cody Scherff, Tesloch Kuey and Dedoch Chan.

Scherff led Albert Lea on the glass with 12 rebounds.

Albert Lea (6-12 overall, 4-7 Big Nine Conference) is seventh in the 10-team conference standings.