FARIBAULT – Nothing comes easy in Big Nine boys’ basketball, but the Albert Lea Tigers are managing to get their share.

Monday, December 17, 2001

FARIBAULT – Nothing comes easy in Big Nine boys’ basketball, but the Albert Lea Tigers are managing to get their share.

The Tigers, in a rebuilding mode under first-year head coach Matt Addington, won their third close game of the season Friday night with a thrilling 65-60 decision at Faribault.

Though the Falcons are 0-4 and not expected to be a factor in the conference this season, Addington said any win in the Big Nine is a good win, especially on the road.

&uot;It was similar to the Owatonna game – we made it a little too close for comfort at the end,&uot; said Addington. &uot;But when you’re learning how to win, these are the types of games you have to win.&uot;

It looked like the Tigers would win easily for most of the night as they held leads of 23-17, 39-31 and 53-45 at the quarter breaks and led by 12 with less than three minutes remaining.

But the Falcons fought back, pulling within 62-60 on a three-point basket with about a minute left. The Tigers secured the victory with free throws down the stretch by Jordan Skophammer, Tyler Young and Tim Benesch.

The Tigers made their stretch run without top scorer Ben Woodside, who fouled out with a game-high 18 points with 2:43 remaining.

Addington said Jay Link, Jason Kuipers and Corey Bowman stepped in nicely for Woodside while front-court players Skophammer and Young had a breakthrough game. Young totaled 17 points and 14 rebounds, Skophammer nine points and eight boards.

&uot;Our post buys really emerged today,&uot; said Addington. &uot;Skophammer and Young had huge games.&uot;

Woodside, who spent much of the third quarter on the bench in foul trouble, scored 16 of his points in the first half. Josh Kasper picked up the slack in the second, netting 11 of his 16; he also had five assists.

Benesch added three points, Kyle Schrad two.

The Tigers controlled the boards, outrebounding the Falcons 52-30. Albert Lea was 22-for-42 from the floor and 18-for-36 at the line, Faribault 19-for-58 and 14-for-25.

The Tigers, 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big Nine, host a strong Waseca team in a nonconference game Tuesday.