Rockets edge out Packer girls

Published 11:24 pm Thursday, February 4, 2016

Austin’s Amber Hansen dribbles along the perimeter during the first half against Rochester John Marshall Thursday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin’s Amber Hansen dribbles along the perimeter during the first half against Rochester John Marshall Thursday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

The Austin girls basketball team was in the game late, but Rochester John Marshall made a late push to beat the Packers 64-56 in Packer Gym Thursday.

Ashley Hawkshead hit a three-pointer for the Packers (8-8 overall, 8-7 Big Nine) to tie the game at 43-43 with 8:57 left, but the Rockets (15-4 overall, 13-2 Big Nine) responded with a 9-0 run.

Austin’s Shayley Vesel drives against Rochester John Marshall’s Jamie Ruden during the first half Thursday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin’s Shayley Vesel drives against Rochester John Marshall’s Jamie Ruden during the first half Thursday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin pulled to within 52-47 when Ruth Koang scored on a post-up and Hawkshead, who had 16 points, hit two throws. JM put the game away when Jessie Ruden and Nicole Fautsch hit back-to-back threes.

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“I thought overall we played a really good basketball game,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said. “You’ve got a kid going to Arizona State in [Jamie] Ruden and Faustch could’ve had her pick but she picked track at Kentucky. They’re both 1,000 point scorers and they made shots. I thought our kids battled super hard.”

Austin started the game on a 6-0 run.

Austin scoring: Shayley Vesel, 19; Ashley Hawkshead, 16; Ruth Koang, 12; Awenia Nywesh, 4; Amber Hansen, 3; Kelsey Sederquest, 2