It was early in the third quarter when Albert Lea girls’ basketball coach Karol Hansen glanced at the scoreboard.

Wednesday, February 13, 2002

It was early in the third quarter when Albert Lea girls’ basketball coach Karol Hansen glanced at the scoreboard.

It was 22-22, and Hansen couldn’t help but feel a little satisfied.

&uot;I can’t remember a time we’ve been tied with Mayo, unless it was 0-0 at the beginning of a game,&uot; said Hansen.

She also can’t remember the last time the Tigers beat the Spartans, but that will have to wait. Hansen and the Tigers settled for a strong performance in a 47-32 loss to Rochester Mayo at Albert Lea High School Tuesday night. The Tigers fell to 4-11 in the Big Nine and 8-11 overall while the Spartans improved to 14-2 and 17-3, tying Faribault for first place in the conference.

&uot;The girls went out and played extremely hard tonight,&uot; said Hansen, whose team lost 73-33 at Mayo earlier this season. &uot;For the majority of the game – until they had a little run in the fourth quarter – I know they didn’t expect the type of game they had tonight. Our girls have just gotten better every time they’ve stepped on the court, in all aspects of the game.&uot;

The difference in Tuesday’s game was turnovers. The Tigers had 28, many of them starting late in the third quarter when Mayo applied a tenacious full-court press.

&uot;For the first time this season, we didn’t handle it like we needed to,&uot; said Hansen.

Another key was free throws. Mayo was 13-for-22, the Tigers 8-for-13. Albert Lea was outrebounded 23-22. The Tigers shot 38 percent from the floor, Mayo 33 percent.

The Spartans led 7-4, 20-13 and 31-24 at the breaks.

&uot;We knew a big factor in containing Mayo was to take away the fast break, slow the game down, make them play defense as much as possible,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;I have to give our girls a lot of credit for hanging with that game plan. Mayo is a tall, fast explosive ball club. I give our girls credit for playing well.&uot;

Amy Ravenhorst led the Tigers in scoring with 10 points. She also three rebounds. Aubree page had eight points, four rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot, Danielle Jacobs seven points, six rebounds, four steals and a block. Jenny Hovendick scored three points and drew three charging calls, which Hansen called very significant. Beth Kolling had two points and four rebounds, Jenny Vanderploeg two points and three rebounds.

The Tigers play Friday at Mankato East.