The Albert Lea boys’ basketball team hosted Owatonna on Friday night, hoping to bounce back from a tough loss at the hands of Rochester Century the night before.

Despite three Tigers putting up big numbers, it would not be enough to curb the offensive strength of the Huskies, falling 77-65.

Albert Lea started the game on a high note, climbing as high as a 13-6. Owatonna’s ability to score from nearly everywhere on the court eventually wore away at Albert Lea, as Owatonna fought back to take a 36-31 lead into the halftime break.

The Huskies continued with their momentum in the second half and built up the lead to as many as 20 points. The Tigers continued to fight to the end, however, it would not be enough to climb out of the deficit.

Seniors Chay Guen, JJ Mucha-Owens and Connor Veldman combined for 61 of the Tigers’ 65 points. Guen led the team in three categories with 22 points, nine rebounds and three assists, while also adding on four steals. Mucah-Owens had 21 points and led the Tigers with seven assists and three steals. Mucha-Owens also had six rebounds. Veldman had 18 points and six rebounds. Senior Logan Howe and junior Bhan Kuey combined for four points.

The Tigers fall to 7-9 on the season and will be back at home Tuesday when they host the Scarlets of Mankato West. The Tigers fell by six points on the road in the teams’ first matchup this season.

The Tigers are officially two-thirds of the way through the regular season and have eight games remaining, five of which will be at home.