Packer backcourt steps up in win over Albert Lea
Published 9:44 pm Saturday, February 9, 2013
Ajuda Nywesh lays a shot over teammate Joe Aase during the first half Saturday night in Packer Gym. -- Eric Johnson/photdesk@austindailyherald.com
The first half of the Packers’ game against Albert Lea was very similar to the teams’ first meeting, which went into double overtime.
Then the second half started and the Packers took over in an 80-53 win over the Tigers in a boys basketball game in Packer Gym Saturday.
Austin guard Zach Wessels drives past Miles Erdman during the second half Saturday night in Packer Gym.
The Tigers (10-9 overall, 5-8 Big Nine) led 10-2 and 26-19 early on, but Austin’s guards eventually took over by getting the hoop and making things happen.
Zach Wessels had 19 points, Bret Lukes had 15 points and Ajuda Nywesh chipped in 14 for Austin.
“I thought Wessels’, Bret’s and Ajuda’s ability to drive and get to the basket was the difference in the ball game,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “They were able to create offense for themselves and sometimes others.”
Dylan See-Rockers hit a three to pull AL within 38-37 early in the second half, but the Packers had an answer with a 15-0 run that them up 53-37.
Nywesh came off the bench to give Austin a huge boost as he was hassling AL’s backcourt on defense.
“We just happened to fall behind. We got it together, played the way we play and we came back,” Nywesh said. “I was looking to drive. I’m just playing my game and having fun.”
The No. 2 ranked Packers (20-0 overall, 13-0 Big Nine) have now won 20 games in a row. But they’re not about to celebrate anything.
“It beats losing. We’re happy with the record, but at the same time we haven’t done anything yet,” Fadness said. “The conference is probably gonna come down to one game at JM and then you start all over at section time.”
Lukes said the Packers are getting more and more comfortable with each game. He also said there wasn’t a whole panic when the Tigers jumped out to an early lead.
“We’ve just got to play hard,” he said. “We came out a little slow, but we’ve seen that before. They came out playing tough and hard and we handled it better this time.”
AL 27 26 — 53
Austin 28 52 — 80
Austin's Collin Weisert guards Albert Lea's Cody Scherff on the press during second half Saturday night in Packer Gym. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin scoring: Zach Wessels, 19; Joe Aase, 19; Bret Lukes, 15; Ajuda Nywesh, 14; Tom Aase, 9; Collin Weisert, 2; field goals: 55 percent (29-for-53); three-pointers: 42 percent (8-for-19); free throws: 64 percent (14-for-22); rebounds: 29 (Tom Aase, 6); turnovers: 8
