AHS girls overcome lackluster outing

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 6, 2003

Coming off Friday's momentous win over Rochester Mayo, the fifth-rated Austin girls' basketball team had to avoid letting up the rest of the way. The Packers are still fighting for a shot at the Big Nine Conference title, and a mental lapse at Mankato East might have meant the difference.

Despite a sluggish performance, the Packers persevered with a 59-51 victory Tuesday night in Mankato. East, still looking for that elusive first win (0-17, 0-13), came surprisingly close to taking Austin out of the running for the league crown.

"We were just a little bit slow on our feet tonight," said AHS coach Gary Peterson. "I was worried about after a big win against Mayo, and we just didn't have the same intensity that we usually have.

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"We told them that we've got to be ready to play every time, especially on the road in the Big Nine."

The Packers (15-3, 10-3) led by just two after the first quarter, 15-13, but had its advantage reach as many as 19 points during the fourth quarter. Lisa Bue scored a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Austin avoided the setback.

"We could have played better," Peterson said. "We got through the game and won it, but sometimes I think maybe we were going through the motions."

Austin routed Mankato East by 28 points in their first match.

On Friday night, the Packers host Owatonna (11-7, 9-4), who lost to Mankato West Tuesday night. Austin, at 10-3, has second place to itself in the Big Nine standings, one-half game behind Rochester John Marshall (13-7, 11-3).

"We just have to take care of our own business," Peterson added.

Friday's game starts at 7:30 p.m. at Ove Berven Gym.

Boxscore:

AUSTIN (59) -- Caitlin Jurgensen 2, Brittney Erichson 2, Nicole Turvey 6, Amy Kelly 13, Keri Feller 2, Steph Eslinger 12, Lisa Bue 20.

MANKATO EAST (51) -- Rachel Osboda 2, Angie Dickmeyer 9, Lindsey Huettl 14, Maria Stark 3, Kristen Jones 15, Nicole Jones 6, Holly Lindstrom 2.

Austin15181214--59

Mankato East1312917--51

Three-pointers--AUS 1-5 (Turvey); EAST 2-6 (Huettl, Stark).

Free-throws--AUS 10-16; EAST 7-8.

Rebounds--AUS 32; EAST 29.