The game plan for the Albert Lea boys’ basketball team wasn’t so much about stopping Winona standout Alec Brown as much as it was about limiting the effectiveness of the supporting players, but the Winhawks showed their versatility in a 64-29 victory over the Tigers Friday at Albert Lea High School.

Brown, a 7-0 foot senior, still scored a game-high 17 points, but Martin Feddersen and Mark Blacklock did most of the damage for Winona as the two combined for 30 points and made Albert Lea virtually defenseless against the third-ranked team in Class 3A.

“We expected him (Brown) to score,” said Tigers junior Alik Smed. “He had 44 in his last game. We just tried to shutdown everyone else.”

It didn’t work out that way for Albert Lea even though the Tigers tried a variety of defenses. Most of the points Feddersen and Blacklock scored came on rebounds and second chance points.

“They had a lot of second chance and third chance points,” said Albert Lea head coach Lucas Kreuscher. “I don’t think we were that bad in our initial defense but we didn’t finish the play and get the rebound.”

Winona grabbed 53 rebounds in the game and against the third-ranked team in the state, it was far too many.

The Tigers meanwhile started the game slow, committing four turnovers on their first four possessions and five in their first six. It made for an early deficit and no continuity on the offensive end.

“We had trouble getting open looks as a team,” said Albert Lea senior Colby Strilaeff. “You could probably count on one hand how many open looks we had.”

The Tigers fell behind 40-17 at halftime and the offense never recovered in the second half, scoring just 12 points. Albert Lea had just four field goals in the second half.

Brown, who entered the game averaging 24 points and 9.5 rebounds, certainly impressed the Tigers. Most of his points came from the free throw line but he still threw down a dunk and helped open things up for teammates.

“For a 7-footer he moved well,” Smed said. “He moved really well.”

Strilaeff said the combo of Brown and Blacklock is probably the best in the Big Nine and there’s a reason the Winhawks, winners of 14 consecutive games, are the third-ranked team in the state.

“You have to pick your poison,” Strilaeff said. “Either guard the inside, let them shoot outside or guard the outside and let them score inside. It’s hard to stop them.”

For the Tigers the loss marked the second consecutive game they have lost by 35 or more points after playing Austin to a nine-point game last Tuesday.

Smed led Albert Lea with 10 points and was the only Tigers player in double figures. Aaron Klatt scored six points while Winona held Kyle Ooms to four points and Strilaeff went scoreless.

Albert Lea plays Faribault Monday in Faribault.

Winona 64, Albert Lea 29

Winona 40 24 — 64

Albert Lea 17 12 — 29

Winona scoring: Alec Brown 17, Martin Feddersen 16, Mark Blacklock 14, John Scheevel 7, Anthony Inman 3, Matt Blomsness 2, Chance Bechly 2, Erik Chapman 2, Jake Lieske 1.

Albert Lea scoring: Alik Smed 10, Aaron Klatt 6, Kyle Ooms 4, Taylor Bordelon 3, Tyler Wichmann 2, Cam Solie 2, Silas Randall 2.