Austin created the turnovers it wanted to, but not until taking off the full-court press.

The Packers forced Mankato East into 11 fourth-quarter miscues and outscored the Scarlets 30-6 in the last eight minutes in a 78-46 Big Nine Conference victory for the AHS girls' basketball team Tuesday night in Ove Berven Gym.

Austin's full-court zone press pushed Mankato East into 11 turnovers through the first three quarters, but its overall lack of inefficiency prompted the Packer coaching staff to switch gears. The result was the highest-scoring quarter of the season for the Pack (2-2, 2-2).

"We were a little worried about that fourth quarter because we were kind of playing sloppy," said AHS head coach Gary Peterson. "They just kept their composure, and I think our depth kind of wore them down.

"We were pressing and they were kind of getting through, then we took it off and I think we played better after that."

Austin scored five field-goals directly off East (0-4, 0-3) turnovers in the fourth quarter, concluding a 26-4 run and a 68-42 Packer lead. Lisa Bue scored seven of her game-high 20 points to help Austin to .500 overall and in Big Nine play.

"In transition we're tough," said Packers assistant Jeff Hovland. "We forced them to pass instead of allowing them to dribble."

Austin shot 53 percent in the second half and 51 percent for the game. Amy Kelly contributed 16 points and Steph Eslinger added 12 from the post.

"We want that all the time," Peterson said of the Packers' scoring balance. "If someone's having an off-night, I think we've got four or five kids who can score in double figures."

The Pack plays its next six games on the road, including two before Christmas. Austin plays a Big Nine gig at Owatonna on Friday night and visits New Prague next Tuesday for a non-conference clash. Austin will play three games at the Columbia Heights Invite Dec. 26-28.

Boxscore:

MANKATO EAST (46) -- Beth Fowler 0-0 0-0 0, Alex Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Bridget Fowler 7-19 2-2 16, Lindsay Huettl 2-7 0-0 4, Maria Stark 4-10 0-0 8, Kristen Jones 3-9 2-2 9, Nicole Jones 4-7 1-2 9, Holly Lindstrom 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-52 5-6.

AUSTIN (78) -- Caitlin Jurgensen 1-2 0-0 2, Jordan Folken 0-0 0-0 0, Brittney Erichson 2-4 2-2 6, Steph Bowe 0-0 0-0 0, Nicole Turvey 0-0 0-0 0, Amy Kelly 5-12 4-4 16, Steph Sundberg 1-1 2-3 4, Kati Seeck 2-3 0-0 4, Keri Feller 3-5 0-0 6, Kim Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Steph Eslinger 6-14 0-0 12, Kelly Momsen 1-1 0-3 2, Laura Geffert 2-6 0-0 4, Lisa Bue 8-14 2-2 20, Amy Wollenburg 1-1 0-2 2. Totals 32-63 10-16.

East149176--46

Austin16171530--78

Three-pointers--East 1-6 (K.Jones 1-3, Stark 0-1, Br.Fowler 0-2); Austin 4-13 (Kelly 2-5, Bue 2-5, Erichson 0-1, Geffert 0-2). Rebounds--East 24 (Br.Fowler 6); Austin 39 (Bue 9, Eslinger 8). Team fouls--East 12, Austin 9. Fouled out--none.