The Packer boys basketball team had a close call, but it walked away with a win in Mankato West Tuesday night.

Austin saw an 8-point lead disappear in the second half and the Scarlets (11-6 overall, 6-5 Big Nine) had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but the Packers prevailed in a 73-70 overtime win that keeps them in first place in the Big Nine by a game over Rochester John Marshall.

Ajuda Nywesh sank a corner 3-pointer to put the No. 4 Packers (15-3 overall, 10-0 Big Nine) up 67-63 in OT.

“This was a big win on the road,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “I was happy our kids showed some resiliency in overtime.”

West tied the game with a 3-pointer with a minute left in regulation and Austin was called for a five-second violation with eight seconds left in the game. The Scarlets never got off a shot on their final possession of regulation.

Austin had led by eight with 10 minutes left in the game when Noah Brehmer was fouled hard. Brehmer missed the front end of a one-and-one and he was part of a double technical on the other end of the floor.

“That sort of gave West life,” Fadness said.

Bret Lukes led Austin with 22 points and Zach Wessels added 21.

Austin scoring: Bret Lukes, 22; Zach Wessels, 21; Ajuda Nywesh, 14; Gach Gach, 8; Noah Brehmer, 6; Nik Gasner, 2; free throws: 67 percent (14-for-21); 3-pointers: 45 percent (9-for-20)