FAIRMONT &045; A sluggish start dashed Albert Lea’s hopes of victory over Fairmont on Tuesday night.

The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team let Fairmont rip off 16 points before it finally retaliated with a score of its own. AL lost the game 72-62.

The 16-point run to start the game meant the AL would be playing from behind the entire night.

Albert Lea also had foul trouble as it committed 14 in the first half. By halftime the Tigers were in the hole by 20.

The second half saw the boys playing better. Slowly they narrowed the lead to 15 points and by the closing minutes of the game the Tigers had pulled to within 10.

However, Fairmont’s huge halftime lead proved to be insurmountable for the Tigers.

Parker Skophammer played well for the Tigers. He lead the team in scoring with 15 points, while A.J. Kortz finished the game with 14 points.

The Tigers next game is at home against Rochester Mayo on Friday night.