ROCHESTER — The Packers continued their dominance of the Big Nine Conference when they beat Rochester John Marshall (18-6 overall, 13-4 Big Nine) 66-47 in a boys basketball game in Rochester Saturday.

Zach Wessels, a junior guard scored his 1,000th career point in the win for No. 2 ranked Austin (24-0 overall, 17-0 Big Nine) as he finished with 18 points and eight assists.

Austin senior Tom Aase added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, five steals and four blocks.

“Our guard play was real strong tonight and Tom was all over the place,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said.

The Packers overcame a lot of foul trouble in the win as Tom Aase, Joe Aase and Gach Gach all fouled out. The Rockets went to the line 34 times and Austin shot 23 free throws.

“It was a weird game,” Fadness said. “The whistle was blowing alot and there wasn’t a lot of rhythm.”

The foul trouble did give the Packers a chance to give players like Nik Gasner, Curtis Oberbroeckling, and Noah Brehmer some varsity minutes.

“Those guys came in and they played well,” Fadness said.

Austin’s defense was strong on the night as the Packers forced 24 turnovers and held JM to 35 percent shooting from the field.

Austin will close out its regular season at Owatonna Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Gach Gach hit a 3-pointer at the end of the first half to put the Packers up 17.

Austin 39 27 — 66

JM 22 25 — 47

Austin scoring: Zach Wessels, 18; Tom Aase, 14; Bret Lukes, 13; Ajuda Nywesh, 9; Collin Weisert, 4; Joe Aase, 4; Gach Gach, 3; Noah Brehmer, 1; field goals: 53 percent (23-for-44); three-pointers: 42 percent (5-for-12); free throws: 65 percent (15-for-23)