Austin Packers boys’ basketball stages big second half rally to win at Northfield in overtime 71-68

The Austin Packers boys’ basketball team was looking to avenge a last-second defeat at the hands of the Northfield Raiders from earlier in the season in Northfield Tuesday evening, and Victor Idris tallied 12 points, nine rebounds, one assist, two steals and one blocked shot as the Packers rallied back from a 15-point deficit early in the second half to win in overtime 71-68.

Austin led 34-33 at the half, only to see the Raiders open the second half on a 16-0 run to take a 49-34 lead, and a basket from forward Buai Duop ended the flurry to cut the Raider lead to 49-36.  The Packers rallied back with an 8-2 run, which was capped off by a hoop from guard Manny Guy to cut the Northfield lead to 51-44, and the Packers were able to stay within striking range throughout the half as a hoop from Idris later cut the Raider lead to six at 65-59.  Austin continued to scratch and claw their way back, and three free throws from guard Jack Lang, his only points of the game after he was fouled shooting a 3-pointer late tied the score at 65 at the end of regulation.  The Packers then outscored the Raiders 6-3 in the extra session to complete the fantastic comeback.

Besides Idris’s 12 points, Ater Manyuon contributed 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal, forwards Buai Duop and Kaden Murley each tallied nine points, guards Gage Manahan and Cham Okey each added eight points, Manny Guy finished with six points, Jared Lillemon scored five points for the Packers, who rallied to win despite being outrebounded 41-25, but Austin tallied 12 steals to three for Northfield, and the Packers also helped themselves to the win by shooting 16 free throws to eight for the Raiders, and making 12 of them for 75%.

With the win, the Packers are now 10-7 in the Big 9 Conference and 11-10 overall.  Austin returns to action at Packer Gym Friday night versus the Winona Winhawks in a Big 9 Conference and Section 1AAA matchup, and you’ll hear the game on AM 1480 KAUS, with the Austin Packers pre-game show starting at 7:15 p.m., and tip-off at 7:30 p.m.