The road team had a festive ride home Friday night in the Owatonna-Albert Lea basketball match ups. The OHS boys won 69-61 in Albert Lea, while the Tigers girls won at the OHS gym 64-56. It was Albert Lea's first over Owatonna since February of 2010.

In the girls game, Owatonna jumped out to a 9-0 lead on a night where the teams traded runs most of the game. The Tigers woke up from the slow start to even the game at 11-11. The Huskies pulled ahead by six points a couple of times in the first half.

Tigers senior Sam Skarstad sank a three right before the half to bring Albert Lea within 32-31 at the half.

With the game tied 39-39 early in the second half, the Tigers went on an 8-0 run and never trailed again. Owatonna got no closer than four points the rest of the way.

OHS coach Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa said the team is still struggling with a new offense, leading to some rushed shots. Sarah Kingland led Owatonna with 16 points. Lexi Mendenhall scored nine. Ari Shornock and Holly Buytaert added eight apiece.

Owatonna (2-3) hosts Red Wing Tuesday, December 17 and Lakeville South Thursday the 19th before ended the week at Rochester Mayo Friday, December 20.

Skarstad led Albert Lea (3-1) with 26. Taya Jeffrey scored 22. The two combined to drill 15-of-20 free throw tries in the second half. The Tigers are coached by former Owatonna assistant Jason Thompson, who is in his second year with Albert Lea.

Evan Dushek had a double-double with 20 points and ten rebounds in the boys win. Brayden Williams scored 14, including a pair of free throws to ice the 69-61 win. Williams earned TPS Insurance Player of the Game honors.

Owatonna forced 21 turnovers and hit 11-of-12 free throw attempts. Nolan Burmeister and Isaac Oppegard contributed eight points apiece. The Huskies go to Red Wing Tuesday, December 17 with the play-by-play on AM 1390 KRFO.

 

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