The Austin boys basketball team played a strong second half, but it wasn’t enough as it lost 54-47 to Rochester John Marshall (16-5 overall, 14-3 Big Nine) in Rochester Tuesday.

The Packers (11-10 overall, 10-7 Big Nine) trailed by 19 points at the break, but they go within 47-43 with two minutes left in the game.

“We played really well in the second half,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “I thought Noah Brehmer had a real nice game for us overall. JM really tried to run us out of the gym early on. I’m proud of the way our kids fought back.”

Four of the Packers’ last five remaining games are in Austin.

Austin 14 33 — 47

JM 33 21 — 54

Austin scoring: Gach Gach, 12; Both Gach, 12; Zach Coffey, 8; Noah Brehmer, 6; Tate Hebrink, 6; Dylan Gasner, 3; free throws; 28 percent (2-for-7)