FARIBAULT – At halftime, it looked like the Albert Lea High School girls’ basketball team could be in for a rough night.

Saturday, February 09, 2002

FARIBAULT – At halftime, it looked like the Albert Lea High School girls’ basketball team could be in for a rough night.

Instead, the Tigers gave the Faribault Falcons a rough time down the stretch.

The Tigers rallied in the second half and the Falcons held them off at the free-throw line for a 43-38 Big Nine decision at Faribault Friday night.

It was Albert Lea’s second close loss this season to the Falcons, who are rated No. 4 in the state in Class AAA. They improved to 13-1 in the Big Nine and 15-3 overall while the Tigers fell to 4-10 and 8-10.

The Tigers kept it close early, trailing just 11-7 at the end of the first quarter. The second period was the difference as Faribault went on a 15-4 run to lead 26-11 at the intermission.

The ALHS girls rallied throughout the second half, pulling within 31-23 entering the fourth quarter. They were within three points with six seconds left.

The Tigers had more field goals than the Falcons, making 15 of 50 to their 12 of 50, and they outrebounded Faribault 31-30. They also had one fewer turnover with 17.

The statistic that hurt the Tigers was free throws. They were 7-for-15 while Faribault went 19-for-32.

Aubree Page and Danielle Jacobs scored seven points each for the Tigers. Also scoring were Amy Ravenhorst with six, Jenny Vanderploeg five, Janelle Vietze five, Danielle Rankin four, Jenny Hovendick two and Beth Kolling two.

Sara Boldt led the Falcons with 16 points.

The Tigers host Rochester Mayo Tuesday.