Austin Packers girls’ basketball team falls at Owatonna 56-49

The Austin Packers girls’ basketball team was looking to keep pace with Red Wing at the top of the Big 9 Conference in Owatonna Tuesday night, but the Huskies had plans of their own as they upended the lady Packers 56-49.

Austin came into the game ranked No. 7 in the state in Class AAA and tied for second in the conference with Rochester Mayo, but the Spartans reeled off their 13th win in a row Tuesday night 66-39 over Northfield, while the first-place Wingers won their seventh in a row handily at home versus Rochester Century 71-44 to remain one game ahead of Mayo for first in the conference, with Austin now alone in third at 15-4 and two games back of the front-running Wingers with three games left to play.

The Packers, who led 21-19 at the half but were outscored 37-28 in the second half were led by Colie Justice, who scored 11 points.  Kyra Walters and Erica Lundberg each added 10 points, Emma Dudycha chipped in eight points and Elyse Hebrink added seven.  The Packers are back into action on Friday night at home versus Red Wing, and you’ll hear the game right here on AM 1480 KAUS, streaming live world-wide at myaustinminnesota.com and on the I Heart Radio app.  Pre-game will come your way at 7:15 p.m. Friday night, with the tip-off at 7:30 p.m.