Brown’s driving, lefthanded layup with about a minute left at Maturi Pavilion gave Becker a 49-48 lead and provided a microcosm of the game. The underdog Packers dictated much of the game and forced the defending Class 3A champion Bulldogs to muster every bit of their skill and resilience.

“We knew they were going to be good going into it,” Brown said. “We definitely had to come to play. And we had a really good run at the end.”

Trailing 48-41 with 3:18 remaining, Becker finished with a 12-0 run. Brown’s seven points ranked only fifth among Bulldogs scorers. But her layup was worth much more than two points.

“It was definitely a little confidence boost,” Brown said.

Senior guard Hope Dudycha and junior forward Olivia Walsh each finished with 12 points for Austin (24-6).

“The last two or three minutes there we just needed one more shot to fall and we just didn’t get it,” Austin coach Eric Zoske said. “When you give a full effort, you have to live with the results. Moments like this sting, but these tough times build personal character.”

Becker (24-4) extended its winning streak to 18 games.

“We definitely need to not let the pressure of it get to us,” Brown said. “Our coach says to play free and have fun, so we’re trying to do that.”