The Austin girls basketball team had their chances, but couldn’t get over the hump Friday night in Owatonna, losing 62-60 to the Huskies.

“We played pretty well and were ahead late in the game,” coach Todd Johnson said.

Owatonna held just a slim 32-30 lead at halftime but were able to keep the Packers (7-4, 4-6 Big Nine) at arm’s length throughout.

At one point in the second half Owatonna (11-10) was up three when Mer Gach hit a basket and was fouled. She missed the ensuing free throw.

“We just didn’t get them to fall tonight,” Johnson said.

Gach led Austin scorers with 14 points followed by Jenna Svoboda with 13 points. Steph Justice kicked in 11 points.

“This is something to build on,” Johnson said. “This is not something to hang our heads on.”

Austin            30 30 — 60

Owatonna     32 30 — 62

Austin scoring

Shayley Vesel 2, Steph Justice 11, Mer Gach 14, Jocelyn Sheehan 4, Alex Hanson 7, Jenna Svoboda 13, Merideth Fritz 9. Free throws: 7-of-14. Three-pointers: 3 (Hanson, Svoboda, Fritz).