ROCHESTER — The top-seeded Austin boys basketball team rolled its way to Section 1AAA title as the team hit a second half offensive groove to beat No. 2 Northfield 73-61 in Mayo Civic Center Friday.

Austin will play in its 30th state tournament in school history in Minneapolis Wednesday. The Packers are the No. 2 seed and will open up against Saint Thomas Academy with a 2 p.m. tip-off at Williams Arena.

The Packers (27-2 overall) took control of the game when Duoth Gach took over during an 11-2 run that put Austin up 39-41 with 13 minutes left. Duoth, who finished with 26 points, five rebounds and six assists, hit a three three-pointers and converted a lay-up during the three-minute spurt.

“Most of the game I was in a zone. I just had to get in a rhythm and keep shooting,” Duoth said. “We were playing as team and we communicated. They were playing good defense and we got open looks.”

Northfield (17-12 overall) was able to get back in the game with its pressure defense as it pulled to within 51-41 with 10:06 left. That’s when Tate Herbink, who had five points and six assists, and Duoth hit back-to-back three-pointers to kickstart 15-3 Austin run that saw the Packers take a 22-point lead.

Austin head coach Kris Fadness had to make a minor adjustment to the team’s press break to get the rally going.

“They were trapping us on the sideline and after about the fourth turnover, the coach in his infinite wisdom decided we should probably do something different,” Fadness said. “Once we did, we got the ball in the middle and Tate hit probably the biggest shot of the game. Tate hadn’t hit a shot all night and we needed him there.”

Austin struggled with foul trouble up front throughout the night as Oman Oman, who had nine points and seven rebounds, and Kyle Obrebroeckling sat for big stretches. Senior Pat Hagan picked up the slack by scoring eight points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots.

“Pat was huge. He rebounded, he defended and he made plays,” Fadness said. “When we made that run, that was all Pat. He was a difference maker.”

Hagan was able to impact the game inside with his defense on Northfield senior Hunter Koep and he was able to knock down a couple of mid-range jumpers in the second half.

“The big thing was to get a body on [Koep] and try to get the rebound,” Hagan said. “Over the season I kind of developed my mid range game. They let me shoot, and luckily some of them went in.”

The Packers last went to state in 2014, when they finished in second place. Austin also took second in state in 2013 and it advanced to state in 2012.

Duoth watched his older brother Gach Gach play in those state tourneys and he’s excited for his chance.

“We’re excited. We’ve got to get to the state championship game now,” Duoth said.

Both Gach had 13 points and three assists in the win for Austin.

Nortfhield 25  36  —  61

Austin 33  40  —  73

Austin scoring: Duoth Gach, 26; Both Gach, 13; Oman Oman, 9; Pat Hagan, 8; Moses Issa, 8; Tate Hebrink, 5; Jany Gash, 4; free throws: 100 percent (10-for-10); rebounds: 23 (Oman, 7); turnovers: 13