A 10-point swing in the second half led to the Albert Lea girls’ basketball team’s third loss of the season in games decided by five points or fewer.

The Tigers lost 53-50 at Rochester Mayo on Friday.

Albert Lea (6-12 overall, 4-9 Big Nine Conference) had two narrow wins this season with a five-point home victory over Rochester Century and a 52-51 win at Waseca.

Losses by fewer than five points have been against Red Wing, Rochester John Marshall and Rochester Mayo, and the Tigers lost another close game at Mankato West 64-52 in overtime.

Rochester Mayo defeated Albert Lea 52-46 on Jan. 3.

In the rematch, the Tigers led by seven points at halftime.

“We were shooting 50 percent from the field, breaking upart their zone,” said Albert Lea head coach Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa. “Bryn (Woodside) was getting fast-break layups off of steals, and we were in control.”

Woodside tied Megan Kortan with a team-high 16 points. Kortan led the Tigers with seven rebounds.

“Megan shot well and played great defense,” Hugstad-Vaa said.

Albert Lea built its lead by fronting the post to thwart Rochester Mayo’s physical inside game.

“Caycee Gilbertson and Sarah Niehbur did a great job of not letting No. 53 (Anna Winter of Rochester Mayo) touch the ball,” Hugstad-Vaa said.

See the score from Saturday’s game at No. 8 Class AA Fairmont in Monday’s Tribune.

The Tigers hope to rebound from their only overtime loss of the season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at home against Mankato West.

View statistics in the Scoreboard: Feb. 7 post.