The Austin girls basketball team has proven it can score points in bunches this year and now it’s shown it can also play lockdown defense. The Packers held their third straight opponent below 50 points as they rolled past Winona (2-2 overall, 1-2 Big Nine) 86-36 in Ove Berven Gym Friday.

The Packers (4-1 overall, 3-0 Big Nine) forced 31 turnovers as their press helped them jump out to an 16-0 lead just three minutes into the game.

“When you come out and you make almost every shot things start going pretty well and it’s easy to play motivated,” Austin head coach Eric Zoske said. “The last couple of days of practice we’ve been talking about defense and that was the key tonight. It was good to see the ball go in the hoop, but there’s more than just making threes and I was proud of our defense.”

The Packers turned a lot of that defense into quick offense as they connected on seven three-pointers in the first five minutes to go up 27-4. Abby Lewis, who finished with 18 points, three rebounds and three steals, connected on two early triples to get the Packers started.

“We’ve been focusing on defense, transition and helping each other,” Lewis said. “That practice has really paid off and we were really working together as a team tonight.”

Hope Dudycha helped spearhead the Packer press as she racked up 15 points, three assists and six steals. Her aggression helped Austin create plenty of opportunities in the open court.

“We ran the floor really well as a team and when we know where everybody is, it’s easy to get fast breaks and finish,” Dudycha said.

Winona 15  21  —  36

Austin 52  34  —  86

Austin scoring: Abby Lewis, 18; Hope Dudycha, 15; Colie Justice, 11; Chloe Sheehan, 9; Erica Lundberg, 8; Elyse Hebrink, 7; Kyra Walters, 7; Emily Bollum, 6; Emma Dudycha, 3; free throws: 53 percent (10-for-19); rebounds: 32 (Hebrink, 6); turnovers: 32