SLIPPERY ROCK — A run that included four district championships for the two seniors on the Karns City girls basketball team came to a close Thursday night.

Karns City (19-6) lost 46-38 to the Neshannock Lancers in the second round of the PIAA Class 3A playoffs held in Morrow Field House at Slippery Rock University.

It was the final game for guard Alyssa Gibson, who had five points, and forward Mackenzie Craig, who scored 13.

“I don't think I've ever been more proud of two girls in our program. They were the heart and soul of our team all year long,” coach Dave Kerschbaumer said after the game.

Junior Emily Hegedus had 16 points to lead the Gremlins. Starting forward Livia Andreassi, who scored two points, missed most of the game after limping off the court in the first half with an apparent ankle injury.

The two teams were neck and neck for the first two quarters with KC taking a 20-17 lead over Neshannock at the half.

But the Lancers turned things around in the third quarter, when they outscored the Gremlins 17-8 to grab an eight-point lead.

Things went “haywire” for the team during part of the quarter with several turnovers that lead to points for Neshannock, Kerschbaumer said.

“They do a lot of reaching,” he said. “They outworked us to the ball a couple of times.”

Neshannock coach Luann Grybowski said her team shot poorly and made too many uncharacteristic errors in the first half.

“In the first half we couldn't hit a shot,” she said.

But the team hustled to grab rebounds and loose balls and eventually started getting more baskets.

“We were on the floor tonight,” she said about the players fighting for loose balls.

Sophomores Ally Zarilla, coming off the bench, and Bella Burrelli lead the Lancers with 17 points each.

The loss eliminated Karns City and snapped a 13-game winning streak. The Gremlins beat Moniteau on a buzzer beater to win the District 9 championship and advanced to the second round of the PIAA playoffs by beating Seneca Monday.

Kerschbaumer said that he was proud of the players for being able to compete against a Neshannock team that only lost two games all season.

“I can't express what I feel for my girls,” he said.

KARNS CITY 38

Alyssa Gibson 1 3-4 5, Emily Hegedus 6 4-4 16, Haley Scherer 1 0-1 2, Mackenzie Craig 3 7-8 13, Livia Andreassi 1 0-0 2. Totals: 12 14-17 38.

NESHANNOCK 46

Aidan Noga 2 2-3 6, Regan Moorhouse 0 0-0 0, Ally George 0 0-0 0, Bella Burrelli 8 1-4 17, Brie Dean 1 0-0 2, Hannah Haswell 0 0-0 0, Carmi Matarazzo 1 2-6 4, Ally Zarilla 6 3-3 17. Totals: 18 8-16 46.

Karns City 9 11 8 10 — 38

Neshannock8 9 17 12 — 46

3-point goals: Neshannock 2 (Zarilla 2).