CHERRY TWP — Sometimes a team simply runs into a bad matchup. Such has been the case when Union's girls basketball team meets Moniteau.

For the second time this season, Moniteau's height advantage stymied the Damsels' attack as the host Warriors picked up a 59-25 KSAC-South victory Friday night.

Moniteau had defeated Union in the first meeting Dec. 13, albeit in a more competitive game, 44-28.

“We watched the film from that game and knew we had to get help on Emma Bair (Moniteau's 6-foot-1 senior center) and on the outside with their guards,” said Union coach Ally Kepple.

Despite the attention, Bair still posted a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. But it was on defense where Moniteau's length was felt the most. The Damsels' tallest starters were freshman guard Morgan Cumberland and senior forward Frankee Remmick, who both stand 5-6. Moniteau featured three players taller than that and the result was a frustrating night for Union's shooters.

The Damsels made just two of their 14 two-point attempts in the first half and the team began to settle for 3-point attempts, many of them rushed and off-balance attempts, much to the chagrin of Kepple.

“We told the girls at halftime that we can't settle for the outside shots,” she said. “Moniteau was playing a 2-3 zone and that's what they wanted us to do.”

“We've been able to frustrate a lot of teams this season,” said Moniteau's 5-9 sophomore guard Kristin Auvil. “We focus on the other team's best players and have played a lot of strong defense.”

Union (6-10) sank just three of its 19 shots from beyond the arc.

“Union is one of the smallest teams we've faced,” said Moniteau coach Dee Arblaster. “They had some open looks tonight, but missed on a lot of them.”

The Warriors led 30-13 at halftime and ended any hopes of a Union comeback by going on a 10-0 run in the third quarter.

Bryn Davis paced the Damsels with nine points.

Izzy Bair and Aslyn Pry both added 11 points for the Warriors (9-7), who have won three in a row and four of their last five entering Saturday's home contest against Clarion-Limestone.

“We want to win (District 9),” said Auvil. “We've come a long way since the beginning of the season, but we know we need to keep working hard to get where we want to go.”

UNION 25

Morgan Cumberland 0 1-2 1, Marli Hawk 1 2-2 5, Bryn Davis 3 2-2 9, Hannah Atzeni 1 0-0 2, Frankee Remmick 2 3-5 8, Falan Wissinger 0 0-0 0, Emma Pritchard 0 0-0 0, Cassie Austin 0 0-0 0, Jada Zitzman 0 0-0 0, Caitlyn Buchanan 0 0-0 0, Kiera Zitzman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 7 8-11 25.

MONITEAU 59

Kristin Auvil 3 0-0 7, Izzy Bair 5 0-2 11, Andie Arblaster 2 0-0 4, Emma Bair 9 0-3 18, Aslyn Pry 4 3-5 11, Bailey Hartle 2 0-0 4, Mia Loos 1 1-2 3, Haley Pry 0 1-2 1, Alex Hartle 0 0-0 0, Katelyn Daniels 0 0-0 0, Kaitee Chesonis 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26 5-14 59.

Union 4 9 4 8 — 25

Moniteau14 16 13 16 — 59

3-point goals: Union 3 (Davis, Hawk, Remmick); Moniteau 2 (Auvil, I. Bair).

Saturday: Clarion-Limestone at Moniteau, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Union at Forest Area