The Packer girls basketball team locked down on defense as it survived some big foul trouble in a 44-40 win over Northfield in its home opener in Ove Berven Gym Tuesday.

The Packers (2-1 overall, 2-1 Big Nine) took a 37-31 lead with four minutes left in the game when Ashley Hakwhead hit a three-pointer and Shayley Vesel converted a three-point play, and the Raiders never took the lead or tied again.

Northfield (3-1 overall, 3-1 Big Nine) used a 6-0 run to open the second half as it jumped out to a 24-16 lead, but the Packers were able to get back in it. Vesel led the way for Austin with 19 points, four rebounds and five assists.

“We got motivated to come back. It’s a section game so we obviously wanted to get the win,” Vesel said.

Austin center Ruth Koang, who had four points and eight rebounds, sat much of the night with foul trouble and she fouled out with 3:39 left in the game. Austin had a few players step up in Koang’s absence as Rebecca Younis had four points, five assists and six rebounds and Awenia Nywesh had six points and five rebounds.

“I think we just needed to go out there and fill in the spot for Ruth,” Nywesh said. “We all had to play a part in rebounding. I feel that the team really worked together and we trusted each other.”

The Packers started the game on an 11-5 run, but they scored just five points over the last ten minutes of the first half. Austin head coach Todd Johnson was pleased with how his team bounced back in the second half.

“We felt like they outworked us in the second part of the first half,” Johnson said. “The kids responded and we had to get back to work. They got after things, started getting after loose balls and they started running. Rebecca Younis played a really good second half for us.”

Northfield 18 24 — 40

Austin 16 28 — 44

Austin scoring: Shayley Vesel, 19; Ashley Hawkshead, 9; Awenia Nywesh, 6; Rebecca Younis, 4; Ruth Koang, 4; Kelsey Sederquest, 2; free throws: 52 percent (12-for-23); rebounds: 38 (Koang, 8); turnovers: 19