Austin Packers boys’ basketball outduels Red Wing 46-41

The Austin Packers boys’ basketball team was looking to get back on the winning track Tuesday night in Red Wing versus the Wingers in a Big 9 Conference and Section 1AAA matchup, and Kaden Murley tallied 13 points to lead a balanced Austin attack in a hard-fought 46-41 win.

Red Wing led 12-6 in the early going before a 3-pointer from guard Cham Okey from the top of the arc cut the Winger lead to 12-9.  Trailing 14-11, the Packers then went on an 11-2 run to take the lead for good, as it turned out at 22-16 and led 29-24 at the half.  A dunk from forward Victor Idris pushed the Austin lead to 10 at 34-24 early in the second half, and another 3-pointer from Okey a short time later gave the Packers their biggest lead of the game at 37-26.  Red Wing then went on a 9-1 run to cut the Austin lead to 38-35, but a hoop from Kaden Murley with just over 5:00 to go gave Austin a 40-35 lead, and the Packers were able to hold off the Wingers the rest of the way to earn the win.

Besides Murley’s 13 points, Cham Okey and Jack Lang each added eight points in the win, Gage Manahan tallied seven points, Victor Idris chipped in six points and Manny Guy and Buai Duop each scored two points for the Packers, who move to 2-0 in the Big 9 Conference and 2-1 overall with the win.

Austin returns to action at Packer Gym Friday night versus the Owatonna Huskies, with the varsity tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.