Down 44-24 at halftime Tuesday, the Albert Lea Tigers boys’ basketball team cut their deficit to 15 points with 10 minutes left in the game but lost 86-53 at the Owatonna Huskies.

The No. 10-ranked Huskies (8-0, 3-0 Big Nine) attempted 20 more field goals than the Tigers (2-4, 0-3) in each half and got extra opportunities off turnovers and offensive rebounds.

Still, Tigers head coach Lucas Kreuscher found some positives.

“I was extremely pleased with our effort tonight,” he said. “They worked their tails off and we can’t be satisfied with that score but at the same time I think we grew up tonight.”

Silas Randall and Tyler Wichmann each scored 12 points for the Tigers and Alik Smed chipped in 11.

The Tigers host New Prague (7-1, 3-0 Section 1AAA) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Albert Lea High School.