The No. 2 ranked Austin boys basketball picked up its play in the second half as it beat Mankato East (9-13 overall, 8-10 Big Nine) 85-67 on the road Friday.

The Cougars used a 12-0 run to go up 23-21 in the first half, but the Packers answered back. Tate Hebrink had 21 points as he went 7-for-8 from the field for Austin (21-1 overall, 17-1 Big Nine), Both Gach had 18 points, six assists and three steals and Moses Issa had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

“Tate had a big game and he played real well,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “In the second half we played real well and we had some nice balance.”

Austin 37  48  —  85

East 34  33  —  67

Austin scoring: Tate Hebrink, 21; Both Gach, 18; Moses Isssa, 13; Kyle Oberbroeckling, 9; Oman Oman, 8; Pat Hagan, 7; Duoth Gach, 6; Tyler Tupy, 3; field goals: 62 percent (30-for-48); three-pointers: 45 percent (10-for-22); free throws: 88 percent (15-for-17)