The Austin girls basketball team lost to No. 7 ranked Mankato East (18-2 overall, 12-0 Big Nine) by a score of 66-49 in Ove Berven Gym Saturday.

The Cougars scored the first 11 points of the game, but Austin got as close as five in the first half, before falling behind 42-25 at the break. The Packers (8-11 overall, 5-8 Big Nine) got as close as 12 in the second half.

Babaye Oja had 16 points and nine rebounds for Austin and Jenna Svoboda had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

East 42 24 — 66

Austin 25 24 — 49

Austin scoring: Babaye Oja, 16; Jenna Svoboda, 12; Taylor Lady, 6; Marwa Omot, 4; Merideth Fritz, 2; Steph Justice, 2; Alex Hansen, 2; Christine Barinka, 2; Jocelyn Sheehan, 2; Danielle Tschann, 1; field goals: 24 percent (18-for-75); three-pointers: 15 percent (2-for-13); free throws: 58 percent (11-for-19); turnovers: 22