The Austin girls basketball team made some big plays down the stretch as it held off Northfield (0-3 overall) 52-45 in Ove Berven Gym Saturday.

Sydney Murphy hit eight free throws to help seal the win for the Packers (2-1 overall).

Austin started the game down 15-5, but it surged to take a 26-22 halftime lead. Austin had strong balance as four players had at least nine points.

“We started at slow, but we rallied back and played a good second half,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said. “It was a nail biter. Mer Gach played big inside and Shayley Vesel hit two key threes.”

Austin scoring: Mer Gach, 13; Sydney Murphy, 12; Shayley Vesel, 12; Merideth Fritz, 9; Ruth Koang, 4; Amber Hansen, 2; free throws: 53 percent (17-for-32)