CLARION — The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

That is, if they get knocked down.

Through 26 games, nobody has been able to do that to Elk County Catholic’s boys basketball team.

Junior guard Gabe Kraus scored 32 points and the Crusaders shot nearly 65 percent (11-of-17) from outside the arc in a 75-48 thumping of Union in a District 9 Class A semifinal playoff Wednesday night at Clarion University.

Concerned with ECC’s inside game, the Golden Knights opened the night in a zone defense. The result was six 3-pointers in the opening quarter — three by Benji Hoffman and three from Kraus — as the Crusaders led 15-3 with 2:45 left in the period and 18-8 entering the second quarter.

ECC would go on to hit 10 three-pointers in the first half.

“I thought (Union coach) Jeff Hepler did a great job in preparation, but we just shot the ball so well tonight,” said Crusader coach Aaron Straub. “When our kids are confident, they shoot a lot. When you shoot the ball well, it makes you look good.”

Union senior guard Cole Morris, who entered the game averaging 19 points per contest, was held scoreless in the first quarter. He hit his stride in the second with eight points, but the Crusaders continued to scorch the nets, scoring 22 points in the period, including four more treys.

“They lit us up,” Hepler said. “We weren’t covering their shooters, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. They just move the ball so well, are so disciplined and fundamentally sound. Give them credit.

“They were shooting 3’s,” he added. “You figure at some point, they are going to start missing and it just didn’t happen.”

In the second half, the Crusaders (26-0) displayed their balance, making 10-of-15 two-point shots.

Morris led Union with 15 points and Hank Murphy scored 11.

Hoffman supported Kraus with 12 points for ECC and Nate DaCanal scored 10.

Straub’s team may be undefeated, but he said it has placed no extra pressure on his players.

“We never talk about it,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate this season. There have been a few games we won that we should have lost.”

The Golden Knights (17-8) will face Ridgway Saturday to determine the district’s third and fourth seed for the upcoming state playoffs. Time and site for that contest have yet to be determined.

UNION 48

Hank Murphy 5 0-1 11, Kolby Montgomery 2 0-0 4, Sutton Varner 0 1-2 1, Cole Morris 6 3-6 15, Gavin Hawk 2 0-0 4, Lucas Bowser 3 0-3 7, Dana Logue 1 0-0 3, Patrick Varesit 0 1-2 1, Reice Saylor 1 0-0 2, Trey Miles 0 0-0 0, Hunter Johnston 0 0-0 0, Gavin Guntrum 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 5-14 48.

ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 75

Benji Hoffman 4 0-0 12, Frank Singer 0 4-4 4, Bryce Gabler 1 0-0 2, Brad Dippold 1 0-0 2, Jack Wolfe 1 0-0 2, Dan Stauffer 2 0-0 4, Gabe Kraus 10 5-5 32, Kyle Huff 2 3-4 7, Nate DaCanal 5 0-1 10, Jared Braun 0 0-0 0, Doug Schatz 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 12-14 75.

Union 8 14 11 15 — 48

ECC18 22 19 16 — 75

3-point goals: Union 3 (Murphy, Bowser, Logue); Elk County Catholic 11 (Kraus 7, Hoffman 4).

Saturday: Union vs. Ridgway, District 9 Class A consolation game, time and site TBD