Austin senior Gach Gach had a great night, but the Packer boys basketball team lost 81-75 to Mankato East (8-5 Big Nine, 6-3 Big Nine) in Mankato Tuesday.

Gach had a career-high 31 points to go with eight rebounds, but the Packers (5-8 overall, 4-5 Big Nine) couldn’t close a late gap. Austin got as close as 62-60 late in the game, but it would get no closer.

“We just dug ourselves in a hole in the first half,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “I like how we played in the second half. Tate Hebrink gave us a lift in the second half and Gach Gach played a great game. It’s tough to lose a game when you have a kid play that well.”

Austin 24 51 — 75

East 38 43 —  81

Austin scoring: Gach Gach, 31; Both Gach, 13; Zach Coffey, 13; Nik Gasner, 6; Levi Vierkandt, 4; Kyle Oberbroeckling, 3; Tate Hebrink, 3; Noah Brehmer, 2; free throws: 61 percent (14-for-23)