The Austin girls basketball team knew it had a good chance to end its three-game losing streak going into Thursday’s game, and it didn’t take any chances as it set the tone early when it opened its game against Albert Lea on a 16-4 run.

The Packers went on to notch their third victory over the Tigers (2-17 overall, 1-11 Big Nine) this season by a final score of 56-32 in Ove Berven Gym on ‘Paint the Gym Pink Night’ Thursday.

Austin (8-9 overall, 5-6 Big Nine) had lost its previous three games by at least 10 points each.

“It’s been awhile and this was a big game,” said Austin forward Taylor Lady, who finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and five assists. “We knew we were gonna have a big crowd with the paint the gym pink and everything and we really wanted to win and we knew we could beat them.”

Austin led by as many as 24 in the first half as the Packers knocked down six of their 12 three-point attempts. The Packers also forced a bulk of Albert Lea’s 34 turnovers in the first half.

“I thought we had good energy and we got (AL’s high scorer) Bryn Woodside frustrated,” Austin head coach Gary Peterson said. “We needed to get a win to get some momentum. I challenged Taylor before the game to get some rebounds and she did a good job tonight.”

AL 19 13 — 32

Austin 39 17 — 56

Austin scoring: Jenna Svoboda, 13; Taylor Lady, 10; Babaye Oja, 9; Steph Justice, 7; Marwa Omot, 6; Merideth Fritz, 4; Alex Hansen, 3; Danielle Tschann, 2; Gabby Wagner, 1; Taylor Hackensmith, 1; field goals: 28 percent (20-for-71); three-pointers: 50 percent (6-for-12); free throws: 36 percent (10-for-28); rebounds: 51 (Svoboda, 9; Lady, 9); turnovers: 31

AL scoring: Bryn Woodside, 11; Sydney Rehnelt, 7; Ashley Tewes, 5; Dominique Villarreal, 3; Samantha Reim, 3; Tiffany Johnson, 2; Lindsey Stewart, 1; field goals: 12 percent (8-for-66); three-pointers: 15 percent (2-for-13); free throws: 56 percent (14-for-25); rebounds: 38 (Johnson, 9); turnovers: 34