Packer girls run past Scarlets as Vesel nets 32 points
Published 11:33 pm Friday, January 15, 2016
Austin’s Emily Hegna handles the ball against Mankato West’s Gabrielle Bowyer during the first half Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin girls basketball team had its biggest scoring output of the season as it ran to its fourth straight win in an 80-60 victory over Mankato West in Ove Berven Gym Friday.
Austin’s Ruth Koang shoots from her center position during the first half Friday night against Mankato West in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers (7-4 overall, 7-3 Big Nine) used the transition game to perfection early on as they took advantage of their dominance on the board to create opportunities in the open court. Austin jumped out to a 13-0 lead and the Scarlets (4-7 overall, 2-7 Big Nine) never got closer than eight points the rest of the way.
“It’s not usually our style, but we have talked a lot about running and we’ve worked on it a lot in practice,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said. “If it is there for us, we want to utilize it.”
Austin senior Shayley Vesel took full advantage of the aggressive approach for the Packers as she tallied 32 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Vesel converted a big three-point play to put Austin up 60-48 when the Scarlets were making a late push.
“Our offense was really good tonight,” Vesel said. “We pushed the ball and we had a lot of transition points. When we’re running up the court, that affects the other team and it slows them down.”
Austin center Ruth Koang tallied 11 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks and Amber Hansen added 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. Hansen hit a key jump shot in the first half to stop an 8-0 West run and give the Packers a 40-32 lead with 3:52 left in the first half.
Austin is sitting in solid position as it is currently in fourth place in the Big Nine and nine of Austin’s remaining games are in Ove Berven Gym. The Packers will play at Winona (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Nine) 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“It’s nice to be in the top half of the Big Nine, but it definitely puts a target on our back,” Koang said. “We’ve got a big game against Winona and that’ll be a big challenge.”
West 39 21 — 60
Austin 48 32 — 80
Austin scoring: Shayley Vesel, 32; Ruth Koang, 11; Amber Hansen, 10; Rebecca Younis, 7; Awenia Nywesh, 6; Paiton Schwab, 2; Kelsey Sederquest, 2; rebounds: 44; turnovers: 23
Austin’s Rebecca Younis races in for a lay-up in the first half against Mankato West Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
