The Albert Lea Tigers had yet to touch the basketball, but already head coach Matt Addington had a good feeling.

&uot;I told my assistants before we even had the ball, ‘It’s going to be a good night,’&uot; said Addington. &uot;You could see it in our defensive intensity.&uot;

Four quarters later, you could see it on the scoreboard.

The Tigers rebounded from a lackluster performance against Rochester Century to defeat Owatonna 64-55 in a Big Nine boys’ basketball game at Albert Lea High School Tuesday night.

It completed a regular-season sweep of Owatonna for the Tigers, who improved to 3-7 in the conference and 8-7 overall.

Addington attributed the win more to attitude than strategy or coaching.

&uot;We went out and played with energy and emotion tonight,&uot; he said. &uot;The guys had fun tonight.&uot;

The Tigers led 18-13 after one quarter, 30-22 at halftime and 44-33 at the end of the third period, but it was far from a wire-to-wire win. The Huskies made several runs, including 8-0 to start the third quarter and tie it 30-30. They were within four in the final minutes, but Ryan Moore helped hold them off by making five of six free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.

&uot;For every run Owatonna made, we deflected it,&uot; said Addington. &uot;I was real pleased with our defensive effort.&uot;

Ben Woodside had 16 points, four steals and four assists for the Tigers. Tom Munden totaled 14 points and four rebounds, Tyler Young nine points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks, Mike Behrends 10 points and four assists, Moore 10 points, Stephen Thorn three points, Jordan Skophammer two points.

The Tigers travel to Mankato West Thursday for a game Addington said has huge ramifications on the upcoming section tournament.