KNOX — Karns City didn't know what hit it on Saturday night as Mercyhurst Prep drained 16 3-pointers en route to a 78-47 victory in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A boys basketball playoffs at Keystone High School.

“We just didn't defend very well early on,” said Karns City coach Chris Bellis.

The numbers back up Bellis' statement as the Lakers shot nearly 60 percent from the floor in the first half, and 52 percent for the game.

Alex Milinski and Joe Dombrowski led the Lakers' onslaught, both making five 3-pointers. The team made only 12 field goals inside the arc the entire game.

Mercyhurst Prep jumped out to a 26-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Milinski and Dombrowski were a combined 6-for-7 from behind the arc in the quarter.

“This was absolutely the best shooting game I have seen as a team,” Mercyhurst Prep coach Sean Baer said. “Collectively, I have never seen this before.”

Prep increased the lead to 42-16 by halftime and the rout was on. The Lakers (15-11) placed three players in double figures, led by Dombrowski with 17, Milinski with 15, and Griffin Herron with 12.

The Gremlins (17-7) improved offensively in the second half, but it was too little, too late. They scored 31 points in the second half, and shot 37 percent from the floor, but had shot only 20 percent in the first half.

“We played better in the third quarter,” Bellis said. “I am proud of them for not going down without a fight.”

Karns City, which won the District 9 title late last month, was led offensively by a couple of freshmen. Forward Nathan Waltman scored 15 points and guard Chase Beighley added 11. Jacob Friel chipped in with 10 points.

“Beighley and Waltman have had great freshman seasons,” Bellis said. “They both have tremendous potential.”

MERCYHURST PREP 78

Griffin Herron 5 0-0 12, Jake Brooks 2 0-0 4, Alex Milinski 5 0-0 15, Joe Dombrowski 6 0-0 17, Nick Byerly 2 0-0 4, Zach Helsley 1 2-2 5, Matt Bengal 2 0-0 5, Ryan Krafty 2 0-2 5, Anthony Cook 1 0-0 2, Josh Copfer 2 0-0 4, Ryan Patterson 1 0-0 3. Totals: 29 2-4 78.

KARNS CITY 47

Austin Fahlor 0 1-2 1, Chase Beighley 3 4-9 11, Logan Pistorius 1 1-2 4, Nolan Riley 3 0-0 6, Jacob Friel 5 0-0 10, Nathan Waltman 6 3-5 15. Totals: 18 9-18 47.

Mercyhurst Prep 26 16 24 12 — 78

Karns City8 8 17 14 — 47

3-point goals: Mercyhurst Prep 16 (Herron 2, Helsley, Bengal, Krafty, Patterson); Karns City 2 (Beighley, Pistorius).