Faribault Boys Basketball Hangs with State-Ranked Austin

The Faribault Falcons have had their problems with the best teams in the Big Nine Conference this season.

Friday night they held their own against not only one of the best teams in the league but also the state, falling to fourth-ranked Austin 52-42 in Nomeland Gym.

The game was tied at 24 at the half despite 11 turnovers by the Falcons, thanks in part to some cold shooting by the Packers.

Austin's extended trapping zone defense produced deflections and steals and they do make opponents feel uncomfortable.

Despite that, Faribault kept the game at the pace they needed to win. Early in the second half they appeared to be more comfortable attacking Austin's zone and that's when the Packers ratcheted things up a bit and went on a 18-5 run.

The Austin run was sparked by turning seven of the last eight turnovers Faribault had into 15 points. The Falcons finished the game with 22 turnovers and, in a game where possessions were limited, those miscues were magnified even more. Austin had 12 turnovers and Faribault scored seven points off them while the Packers converted nine of Faribault's 22 turnovers into 19 points. Faribault had just seven field goals in the second half thanks to those turnovers also.

Kade Hart was the only Falcon in double figures with 17 points. Brady Combs had all of his seven points in the first half and Win Hunter and Chase Ernste each tallied 10.

The State Farm Insurance Faribault agents Tony Langerud and Jason Krohn Faribault players of the game were Hunter and Hart.

Austin had three players in double figures. Sophomore Both Gach had 12 points and his twin brother Duoth had 11 points and senior Jace Murray added 11.

The Packers were three of six from the free throw line and Faribault was four of 10.

Faribault falls to 6-7 in the Big Nine and 9-8 overall and Austin is now 12-2 in the conference and 14-8 overall.

The Falcons head to Mankato East on Tuesday then host Rochester Century next Saturday, and Austin goes to Rochester Mayo on Thursday before hosting Northfield next Friday.

In other Big Nine action Friday night, Class 3A second-ranked Red Wing remained unbeaten after a 68-45 victory at Rochester Century and Rochester John Marshall remained in the hunt after a 72-37 crushing of Mankato East, Winona defeated Mankato West 62-47 and Rochester Mayo beat Albert Lea 63-46.

Other boys basketball Friday:

Randolph 78, Leroy-Ostrander 71
Eastview 84, Eagan 74
Waconia 65, New Prague 58
Apple Valley 86, Prior Lake 50
Shakopee 63, Rosemount 54
Hopkins 108, Minnetonka 94
NRHEG 75, Bethlehem Academy 54
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 80, Blooming Prairie 43
Grand Meadow 70, Glenville-Emmons 51
Lakeville North 77, Lakeville South 63
Pine Island 60, Lewiston-Altura 49
Lyle/Austin Pacelli 66, Schaeffer Academy 51
Zumbrota-Mazeppa 42, Stewartville 34
Martin County West 73, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 59
Cleveland 60, Le Sueur-Henderson 51
St. Clair 76, Madelia 60

In girls basketball Friday, the Austin Packers led Faribault 16-15 at the half in Austin and scored a 43-35 win to improve their conference record to 8-4.

The Falcons are 5-9 in the league and 8-9 overall.

Grace Amacher was the only Faribault player in double figures with 11 points and Austin's only double-digit scorer was Shayley Vesel with 17 points.

The Falcons are on KDHL Radio on Saturday afternoon when they travel to New Ulm for a game with an impact on section seeding. Coverage begins at 1:45PM with yours truly on the microphone.

In other Big Nine girls action Friday night, Northfield rolled by Albert Lea 66-22, Rochester Century got by Red Wing 71-67, Winona downed Mankato West 85-67 and Rochester John Marshall beat Mankato East 45-27.

In other girls basketball games Friday night:

Kenyon-Wanamingo junior Mara Quam scored 37 points in a Knight 72-54 victory over Rochester Lourdes in the Castle. The Knights were 22 of 28 from the free throw line and Lourdes was 5 of 11. Savannah Bleess added 13 points.

Apple Valley 67, Prior Lake 65
Lakeville South 53, Lakeville North 51
Burnsville 67, Farmington 55
Eastview 59, Eagan 43
Waconia 64, New Prague 58
Byron 67, Triton 20
Kasson-Mantorville 54, Goodhue 52
Leroy-Ostrander 55, Alden-Conger 45
NRHEG 73, Bethlehem Academy 57 (Shelby Meyer 31 points for BA)
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 61, Blooming Prairie 43
Belle Plaine 57, Le Sueur-Henderson 45
Randolph 61, New Life Academy 28
Mayer Lutheran 53, Norwood Young America 41
Sibley East 76, Tri-City United 75