FARIBAULT – Every time the Albert Lea Tigers made a run, the Faribault Falcons answered with a bigger one.

Wednesday, December 08, 1999

FARIBAULT – Every time the Albert Lea Tigers made a run, the Faribault Falcons answered with a bigger one.

The third-quarter surge proved to be the back breaker.

The visiting Tigers kept it close in the first half but Faribault broke it open in the second on the way to a 71-43 decision in a Big Nine boys’ basketball game Tuesday night.

It was the season opener for the Falcons and 6-foot-9 Division I prospect Jay Anderson, who look like they could challenge for the conference crown. Anderson scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half, showing excellent range while hitting two three-pointers.

Still, the Tigers hung in there. They trailed 17-7 at the end of the first quarter but rallied within 21-17 late in the second. Faribault, though, went on another run and went up 30-19 at halftime. It was 55-29 after three.

The most telling statistic was turnovers. The Tigers had 23 to the Falcons’ 12. Albert Lea was outrebounded 29-24.

The Tigers, 18-for-48 from the field, were 5-for-9 on free throws. The Falcons were 5-for-8 at the line.

Dan Ravenhorst was the lone Tiger scorer to reach double figures, with 12 points. Kevin Peterson had nine, Chris Rebelein eight, Nick Cunningham six, Luke Behrends and Matt Ladwig four apiece.

The Tigers, 1-1 overall, face another tough test Friday when they play at Mankato East, the No. 3 rated team in Class AAA.