Austin Packers boys basketball downs Albert Lea 83-71 Monday evening
It was a renewal of the I-90 rivalry at Packer Gym Monday evening as the Austin Packers boys basketball team kicked off a three-game homestand versus the Albert Lea Tigers, and it was senior guard Jack Lang leading four Packers in double figures in scoring with 20 points as the Packers picked up their third win a row by a score of 83-71.
Austin shot a blistering 34 of 68 from the field for 50%, and they also drained 13 3-pointers in 34 attempts for 38% to help themselves to the win, despite going 1 for 5 from the free throw line, while Albert Lea was 13 of 28, or 46%. The Packers also held a 31-26 advantage on the boards, and they totaled 22 assists to 10 for Albert Lea in the winning effort.
Lang drained five 3-pointers on his way to 20 points for Austin Monday night, guard Ater Manyuon tallied 14 points and a team-high four assists, Jacob Herrick chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, Morries Jabateh was also in double figures in scoring for the Packers Monday night with 10 points, Ben Diang contributed seven points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, forward Buai Duop totaled six points and six rebounds, Manny Guy chipped in five points, Dane Mitchell contributed four points, three rebounds and a steal, Andrew Clausman drilled a 3-pointer for three points, Otong Nyikew scored two points and Peyton Ransom tallied one point in the winning effort for Austin, while Albert Lea’s Teddy Collins put up an impressive stat line of 29 points to lead all scorers, plus 11 rebounds for a double-double, and Pal Wal added 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one blocked shot for the Tigers.
With the win, Austin moves to 8-2 in the Big 9 Conference and 10-4 overall on the season. The Packers will be back in action Friday night at home versus Mankato East, as the Cougars currently lead Austin by a half-game atop the conference at 8-1. Varsity tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and you’ll hear the game live on AM 1480 KAUS, with the pre-game show on the air at 7:15 p.m. It will also be Austin High School Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Night Friday evening as the latest indcutees into the Hall of Fame will be recognized during a ceremony at halftime.
