Mankato East opened up a nine-point lead at halftime and maintained it through a 52-32 Big Nine Conference boys' basketball win over visiting Austin Tuesday night in Mankato.

The Packers (1-3, 1-2) were "outplayed in all aspects of the game," according to head coach Kris Fadness. Austin got to within five points, 27-22, during the third quarter, but a cold shooting night stopped the Packers from completing the comeback.

John Duren scored 11 points to lead the Packers, while Jon Bain chipped in eight and Jordan VanProosdy scored seven. Only six different Austin players scored in the game.

Nate Harstad led the host Cougars with 12 points.

Mankato East led by 19 points through three quarters and kept it up through the final eight minutes.

"They simply shot better than we did," Fadness said. "We did not shoot well at all."

Austin hosts Owatonna for a Big Nine Conference match Friday night at Ove Berven Gym at 7:30 p.m.