Braden Tretter (1) of Sauk Rapids-Rice battles Austin's Nyagoa Obany (21) for a loose ball. in the Class 3A quarterfinals Wednesday at Williams Arena. Photo: Richard Tsong-Taatarii•rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com
Austin came into the state tournament averaging 78 points per game. Sauk Rapids-Rice coach Derek Peterson wanted his team to keep the Packers to 60 points.
“We thought if we held them to 60 points, we’d be in the game,” Peterson said. “We executed our defensive game plan perfectly and held a great team to 64.”
The Packers managed to pull out a 64-55 victory over the Storm in the Class 3A quarterfinals Wednesday at Williams Arena.
Austin outlasted Sauk Rapids-Rice for a 64-55 victory in the Class 3A quarterfinals Wednesday at Williams Arena.
The Packers (27-2), who led 30-27 at halftime, opened the second half with a 16-4 run to open a 46-31 lead with 12:24 remaining. The Storm managed to pull within six points in the final minute, but the Packers held on by making five free throws down the stretch.
Moses Issa scored 20 points – 17 in the second half -- and Nyagoa Obany scored 13 to lead the Packers.
Anthony Massman scored 18 points – 15 in the second half – and Cody Landwehr scored 13 points to lead the Storm (21-9). Landwehr became the Storm’s all-time leading scorer.
Check back later for more on the game.