MANKATO — The Austin girls basketball team lost to No. 7 Mankato East (15-3 overall, 10-1 Big Nine) 79-48 on the road Tuesday.

Austin (7-10 overall, 4-7 Big Nine) trailed by 13, but pulled to within 41-36 early in the second half before the Cougars put up a 25-0 run.

“We just couldn’t execute on offense or defense,” Austin head coach Todd Johnson said. “They’re also very good and they’re the real deal.”

Austin 27 21 — 48

East 37 42 — 79

Austin scoring: Steph Justice, 16; Jenna Svoboda, 8; Mer Gach, 8; Taylor Lady, 5; Alex Hansen, 4; Jocelyn Sheehan, 3; Gabby Wagner, 1; Shayley Vesel, 1; free throws: 62 percent (13-for-21)