The Austin girls basketball team closed out strong as it beat Mankato East (3-19 overall, 3-15 Big Nine) 60-40 in Mankato Friday.

The Packers (9-13 overall, 7-11 Big Nine) closed the game on a 12-0 run over the last nine minutes of the contest.

“Great effort by the kids and they really played well on offense,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said. “We were patient passing the ball around and getting good looks.”

Shayley Vesel had 26 points for the Packers and Sydney Murphy added 11 points.

“Shayley played a great game and she kind of took the game over driving to the basket and making pull up jumpers,” Johnson said. “Syd Murphy played her best game of the year.”

Austin 34 26 — 60

East 23 17 — 40

Austin scoring: Shayley Vesel, 26; Sydney Murphy, 11; Ruth Koang, 11; Kelsey Sederquest, 6; Amber Hansen, 3; Alex Hansen, 3; free throws: 83 percent (23-for-28)