A barrage of 3-pointers in the second half wasn’t enough to lift the Albert Lea boys’ basketball team past Faribault.

Dedoch Chan scored the Tigers’ first 12 points of the second half from beyond the arc, but Faribault hung on 68-56 at Albert Lea.

“I thought our guys showed some grit and battled back,” said Tigers coach Lucas Kreuscher.

Albert Lea played aggressive defense to force 21 turnovers, Kreuscher said.

With less than 10 minutes left in regulation, the Tigers’ drove to the basket regularly. A drive that resulted in a layup for Jake Thompson cut Albert Lea’s deficit to seven points, and a 3-point play by Jake Kilby with 7:37 remaining brought the Tigers within six, 47-41.

“That’s been the emphasis this whole season,” Kreuscher said. “Tonight they had the confidence and the mindset to get to the rim. We need more of that.”

Faribault didn’t let its lead dip any further and pushed it to double digits after two a series of three technical fouls: one on the Falcons and two on the Tigers.

The first technical foul deflated Albert Lea. Kole Smith fouled out, an official motioned his replacement onto the court and the technical foul ensued for six men on the court.

Chan and Kilby tied with a team-high 19 points.