Packer boys top Winona, move into first place in Big Nine
Published 11:15 pm Tuesday, February 21, 2012
WINONA — The Austin boys basketball team moved into first place in the Big Nine conference when it beat Winona (7-13 overall, 5-13 Big Nine) 60-40 on the road Tuesday.
The Packers (17-5 overall, 14-2 Big Nine) trailed 32-31 in the second half when they rallied and put together a 24-3 run that turned the game around.
“We kept our composure as Zach Wessels went to the hoop strong and Goliath Oboyo stepped up,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said.
Austin junior Tom Aase poured in 21 points to lead the team. He hit four free throws in a row to make it 48-35 after converting a one-and-one and a pair of technical shots.
Austin’s win, coupled with Owatonna’s 63-60 loss to Rochester John Marshall put the Packers up one game in the Big Nine with two to go — including a showdown with the Huskies (13-3 Big Nine) in Austin March 2.
Austin will host JM Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Austin scoring: Tom Aase, 21; Zach Wessels, 13; Goliath Oboyo, 8; Joe Aase, 6; Zach Vierkandt, 5; Nathan Scwhab, 4; Bret Lukes, 3; free throws: 68 percent (15-for-22); three-pointers: 25 percent (3-for-12); turnovers: 16