Austgen leads Devils to win

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:21AM

VALPARAISO — Lowell’s Carley Austgen wanted to demonstrate her ability and willingness to be a leader.

During Tuesday night’s non-conference game with Class 2A Wheeler, the sharpshooting junior guard provided a prime example for her coaches and teammates.

Austgen, in only her second game back from a five-game suspension for violating team rules, scored 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half, including eight in the fourth quarter.

Austgen’s clutch shooting, which included a trio of 3-point field goals in the second half, including a pair in the first four minutes of the final period, lifted the Class 4A Red Devils (16-3) to a 57-46 win over Wheeler (14-5).

“I was feeling pretty good about my shot earlier and during warmups and I knew I could come out strong and help my team,’’ said Austgen, who buried 6-of-8 field goal attempts.

“Carley was able to come in and hit some really big-time shots for us,’’ Lowell coach Katie Antcliff said.

Austgen, however, picked up two quick fouls and didn’t play much in the first half.

The Red Devils still managed to build a 29-17 halftime lead as the Bearcats struggled from the floor offensively — making less than 25 percent of their field goal attempts.

When Wheeler, which had its five-game winning streak snapped, came out strong in the third quarter behind Nickole Finch and Sarah Becker, Lowell saw its lead dwindle to three points (38-35) but held a 40-35 lead entering the fourth period.

Finch scored eight of her game-high 21 points in the third quarter for the Bearcats, while Becker scored all seven of her points in the period.

Austgen, who scored five points for Lowell in the third quarter, contributed eight crucial points in the final period to repeatedly thwart any comeback hopes the Bearcats had.

“In the fourth quarter they were getting close, so I wanted to help the team pick up the pace,’’ Austgen said.

While the Red Devils played sloppy at times, Antcliff was happy her team had enough to beat a good team like Wheeler.

“This is, by far, probably the ugliest win we’ve had all year,’’ Antcliff said. “Our kids pulled through, but I don’t know how.’’

Wheeler coach Doug Nelson said the loss to a team like Lowell should still help the Bearcats.

“We understand that our primary goal is to go out and compete and try to get into the sectional championship game,’’ he said. “Anything that helps us toward that goal is a good thing. I think Lowell was a good teacher for us tonight.’’