Austin had every opportunity to take over first place in the Big Nine Conference, but visiting Owatonna took advantage of the few chances it had.

The Huskies outscored Austin 19-11 in the second half to send the game into overtime and eventually hit enough free-throws down the stretch to steal a 48-43 double-overtime victory from the fourth-ranked Packer girls' basketball team Friday night at Ove Berven Gym.

Austin led by as many as 10 in the first half, but a relentless Owatonna squad fought back and forced its way into a tie with the Packers for second place in the Big Nine at 10-4.

"In a double overtime game it's hard for anyone to take a loss," said AHS coach Gary Peterson. "Girls games often come down to one possession, we should have executed some things a little better."

The Packer coaching staff only hopes the team's first (and second) overtime experience will help them down the road in conference and section play.

"Because of the race it seems every game has been a big game," Peterson said. "These games get you ready for sections.

"Pressure games like that are only going to help us."

Austin is still hopeful for the Big Nine title, but it missed out on its chance to move ahead of Rochester John Marshall after Mankato West beat the Rockets on Thursday night. Now JM and Mayo (11-4) are knotted atop the league standings.

"That puts us back into the hunt," Owatonna coach John Kuehn said after the game. "But we have the hard part of our schedule left."

Owatonna hosts John Marshall on Tuesday, while Austin entertains Winona.

Owatonna comes to life

The Packers failed to put Owatonna away with a lackluster third quarter that saw the Huskies score an 11-5 advantage. Austin's eight-point halftime lead was quickly cut to three, and then one on Molly Hunt's third field goal of the period. Hunt had six of her 17 in the third quarter.

Owatonna left the rest to leading scorer Jessica Plemel, who tallied eight of her game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter. Plemel hit four field goals, mostly along the baseline behind Austin's 2-3 and 1-3-1 zones, and the Packers' last chance to score fell short when Laura Geffert was knocked to the ground as the buzzer sounded.

"Plemel had a big game," said Owatonna's Coach Kuehn. "Austin did a good job of shutting (Lindsay) Draayer down. Wherever she went there were two girls on her."

Plemel got the chance to give Owatonna the win in regulation, but she traveled after making a steal near half-court with 20 seconds left.

Austin scored first in the first overtime as Steph Eslinger hit one of two free-throws for her first point of the game. Hunt gave Owatonna its first lead with a three-point play, 37-35, and Amy Kelly hit one of two free-throws to cut it to one.

Hunt extended Owatonna's lead back to two with a free-throw, but Kelly evened it at 38-all with a driving layup with 12 seconds left. A jump-ball situation gave possession back to Austin with one second left, but time ran out without a shot attempt.

In the second overtime, Owatonna hit 8-of-10 free-throws to take the lead for good. Austin was unable to score with the first possession of the extra period, and Plemel converted with free-throws right away.

Austin was 6-of-13 from the line after halftime and 9-of-19 for the game.

"We had the right people at the line," said AHS assistant Jeff Hovland.

The Packers were 0-for-3 from beyond the three-point line in the second overtime, two of which were blocked or tipped. Draayer had four blocks in the game.

"That was a draining game," Austin's Coach Peterson said. "The only thing you can ask is that the kids play hard, and they did. We had our chances."

Boxscore:

OWATONNA (48) -- Jenna Ebeling 0, Jenna Wendorff 0, Molly Hunt 17, Carly Henderson 0, Nicole Hanson 5, Lindsay Draayer 5, Jessica Plemel 19, Olivia Grant 2, Amber Mussman 0.

AUSTIN (43) -- Caitlin Jurgensen 2, Brittney Erichson 2, Nicole Turvey 0, Amy Kelly 14, Keri Feller 6, Steph Eslinger 3, Kelly Momsen 0, Laura Geffert 1, Lisa Bue 15.

Owatonna87118410--48

Austin1495645--43

Three-pointers--Owatonna 2-11 (Hunt, Hanson); Austin 2-15 (Kelly, Bue). Free-throws--Owatonna 16-24, Austin 9-19. Field goals--Owatonna 15-44, Austin 16-49. Rebounds--Owatonna 36 (Draayer 10), Austin 36 (Bue 13). Turnovers--Owatonna 15, Austin 14. Team fouls--Owatonna 20, Austin 19. Fouled out--Henderson, Plemel, Geffert.

OWATONNA (48) -- Jenna Ebeling 0, Jenna Wendorff 0, Molly Hunt 17, Carly Henderson 0, Nicole Hanson 5, Lindsay Draayer 5, Jessica Plemel 19, Olivia Grant 2, Amber Mussman 0.

AUSTIN (43) -- Caitlin Jurgensen 2, Brittney Erichson 2, Nicole Turvey 0, Amy Kelly 14, Keri Feller 6, Steph Eslinger 3, Kelly Momsen 0, Laura Geffert 1, Lisa Bue 15.

Owatonna87118410--48

Austin1495645--43

Three-pointers--Owatonna 2-11 (Hunt, Hanson); Austin 2-15 (Kelly, Bue). Free-throws--Owatonna 16-24, Austin 9-19. Field goals--Owatonna 15-44, Austin 16-49. Rebounds--Owatonna 36 (Draayer 10), Austin 36 (Bue 13). Turnovers--Owatonna 15, Austin 14. Team fouls--Owatonna 20, Austin 19. Fouled out--Henderson, Plemel, Geffert.