The Austin girls basketball team stayed with Winona for most of the night, but it couldn’t close the deal in a 57-45 loss in Winona Friday.

The game was tied at 43-43 with three minutes left, but the Winhawks (12-7 overall, 8-4 Big Nine) closed the contest on a 12-2 run.

Shayley Vesel had 19 points for the Packers (5-11 overall, 3-8 Big Nine).

“We played really well except for two and half minutes at the end of the game,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said.

Austin 25 20 — 45

Winona 27 30 — 57

Austin scoring: Shayley Vesel, 19; Mer Gach, 8; Merideth Fritz, 7; Alex Hansen, 6; Kelsey Sederquest, 3; Ruth Koang, 2; free throws: 56 percent (10-for-18)