Agwa nets a career-best 40 points, but Spartans hold off Packers
Published 10:11 pm Thursday, January 4, 2024
Austin’s Nora Sand pushes the ball inside against the defense of Rochester Mayo Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Marissa Shute pulls up against the defense of Rochester Mayo’s Azeri Theimann during the first half Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Quinn Osgood attemps to cut between Rochester Mayo’s Kaia Kirkeby, right, and Mia Banks, left, during the first half Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Ajiem Agwa attempts to dump off a pass under pressure of Rochester Mayo Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodeks@austindailyherald.com
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Austin junior Ajiem Agwa put up one of the best offensive efforts in AHS history and it was almost enough for the Packers to pull off a big upset.
However, Austin’s second half surge came up a little short as the Packers lost to Rochester Mayo (8-2 overall) 75-72 in Ove Berven Gym Thursday.
Agwa became the first Packer girls player to ever to post 40 points in a game as she led a charge that saw the Austin (3-7 overall) storm within a point after trailing by 15 at halftime.
“Ordinary players don’t score 40 points. She’s a special player,” Austin head coach Eric Zoske said of Agwa.
The Packers pulled to within 73-72 when Quinn Osgood, who added 16 points, hit a baseline three off an assist from Agwa with 18.2 seconds left. Mayo’s Kaia Kirkeby knocked down two free throws to make it 75-72 with eight seconds left and the Packers weren’t able to get a good look on their final possession as the Spartans clamped down.
“We’re still going through the process. In the first half, the effort was there but we had some missed free throws that hurt us. In the second half, that’s what we’re looking for,” Zoske said. “I expect Mayo to play in the Section 1AAAA finals and they’re a good team. We just have to control our attitude and effort. Those things make a big difference.”
Agwa was on fire for most of the night as she knocked down five three-pointers, while going seven-for-eight from the free throw line and grabbing six rebounds.
“My drive was going well and I was getting a fast step on them,” Agwa said. “My jump shot was also going in and all of us were playing confident in the second half. We always play better and harder in the second half and tonight we got back in the game.”
The performance came after a two-week break for the Packers and Agwa said she spent plenty of that down time in the weight room and on the basketball court.
The closest an Austin girl came to 40 before Thursday was when Teresa Lang scored 37 against Blue Earth in 1993.
Mayo 41 34 – 75
Austin 26 46 – 72
Austin scoring: Ajiem Agwa, 40; Quinn Osgood, 16; Marissa Shute, 7; Nora Sand, 4; Atee Obang, 3
