Sparked by a 23-12 third quarter, the Austin boys’ basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to pick up a road win against Mankato West on Tuesday, 64-51.

Wednesday, February 09, 2000

Sparked by a 23-12 third quarter, the Austin boys’ basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to pick up a road win against Mankato West on Tuesday, 64-51.

The Packers, down 27-23 after a poor-shooting first half, erupted in the third.

Austin’s front-court players scored 18 points in the quarter with forward Tanner Schieck scoring eight of his 14 and center Brian Elwer six of his game-high 21. Forward Matt Smith added four of his six in the turning-point quarter.

Earlier in the season, Austin edged West by a bucket at home.

"We played much better than the last time we played them," Coach Kris Fadness said. "We did a nice job of getting the ball inside."

Austin guards Nick Rohne and Zach Tufte played strong games, beating the Scarlets’ game-long full-court press with ease and holding Jay Nessler to 10 points. Nessler, who is averaging 21 points per game in the Big Nine, is second in the conference in scoring behind Jay Anderson of Faribault.

"Our guards cut down on their turnovers, got us into our offense and made good decisions," Fadness said.

Rohne finished with nine points and Tufte four. Shooting guard Brent Holck added 10.

Chuck Wiest led the Scarlets with 18.

Austin (10-6, 8-4 in the Big Nine) travels to Owatonna on Friday, when it hopes to avenge an earlier home loss to the Huskies.