The No. 4 ranked Packer boys basketball team locked up a share of their third straight Big Nine title when they beat Mankato East (10-13 overall, 6-10 Big Nine)73-50 on the road Saturday.

The Packers (21-3 overall, 16-0 Big Nine) knocked down 13 3-pointers in the win and Bret Lukes hit five 3s and scored 24 points.

East was within 12 in the second half, but Austin responded with an 8-0 run.

The Packers will win the conference out-right if they win one of their last two games. They play at Rochester John Marshall Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and they host Faribault Friday at 7:30 p.m. for Paint the Gym Pink Night.

Austin 42 31 – 73

East 22 28 – 50

Austin scoring: Bret Lukes, 24; Nik Gasner, 12; Gach Gach, 10; Ajuda Nywesh, 9; Noah Brehmer, 7 Zach Wessels, 5; Curtis Oberbroeckling, 4 Zach Coffey, 2; 3-pointers: 52 percent (13-for-25); free throws: 75 percent (12-for-16); turnovers: 9