Packer boys fall to Cougars
Published 9:31 pm Thursday, February 12, 2015
Austin’s Zach Coffey dribbles through the Mankato East defense in Packer Gym Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Packer boys basketball team hit a scoring slump at a bad time as they lost 69-65 to Mankato East in Packer Gym Thursday.
Austin (12-12 overall, 11-9 Big Nine) was tied 50-50 with the Cougars (14-6 overall, 16-8 Big Nine), but East ran off nine straight points as the Packers went scoreless five minute stretch.
Austin’s Tate Hebrink passes around Mankato East’s Sam Ahrens in Packer Gym Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“That stretch in the second half where they got it up to nine was the difference in the game,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said.
Gach Gach, who had 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, hit a 3-pointer to pull the Packers within 59-53 with 2:41 left, but Austin never got closer than four in the last three minutes of the game.
Austin forced just 10 turnovers in the loss and the Cougars were able to get inside early and often with guard penetration.
“We didn’t play well,” Fadness said. “I thought we played hard, but we didn’t play smart. We did not do a good job of keeping their guards in front of us. They were able to penetrate through us and make plays.”
The Cougars led by 10 in the first half, but Austin used an 8-1 run that saw Tate Hebrink and Nik Gasner hit 3-pointers to take a 29-28 lead into the break. The Packers built their lead up to 41-35 after Gach hit a three in the second half with 13:35 left.
Austin’s Gach Gach shoots over Mankato East’s Gorg Ahlag in Packer Gym Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
East 28 41 — 69
Austin 29 36 — 65
Austin scoring: Gach Gach, 18; Nik Gasner, 13; Levi Vierkandt, 12; Noah Brehmer, 6; Both Gach, 6; Zach Coffey, 4; Tate Hebrink, 3; Oman Oman, 3; free throws: 100 percent (4-for-4); rebounds: 27 (Gach, 13); turnovers: 13
