A win 2 years in the making 

After a hard-fought battle, the Tigers picked up their first win in two years.

The Albert Lea basketball team defeated New Ulm 70-65 Monday in front of a packed gym at Albert Lea High School.

The Tigers ran into foul trouble early. While New Ulm was in double-bonus, Albert Lea didn’t join them until later in the game.  Jake Thompson, Jake Kilby and Zach Romer were all at the line for some crucial pressure free throws for the Tigers.

“We got down in the first half and trailed by eight at halftime,” said Albert Lea coach Stan Thompson. “The kids kept battling back and really turned up the pressure at the end and pulled out the win. I was just real proud of the way we didn’t quit and how they wanted it so bad.”

Jake Thompson was out sick for Friday’s game, but more than made up for his absence with a strong performance Monday. Jake Thompson contributed 24 points to the Tigers’ offense, with Kilby putting up 26 points.

With less than two minutes to play, Stan Thompson reminded his players to slow down and play the game. Full court pressure the last four minutes of the game helped keep the Tigers in control.

“Our guys just weren’t going to get beat in that second half, and they showed it,” Stan Thompson said.

After the win was sealed, the Tigers’ student section rushed the court to congratulate the team.

“The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic (Monday), the kids in the student section were incredible,” Stan Thompson said. “What meant a lot to the boys and what meant a lot to me was that it wasn’t just our kids that wanted it so bad — it was the community.”

Next, the Tigers (1-18 overall, 0-16 Big Nine Conference) will host Rochester Century (3-17, 2-14) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.