CLARION - Elk County Catholic was the last challenge District 9 could offer the Union girls basketball team.

As has been the case all season long, the Damsels didn't budge.

Junior forward Andrea Mortimer scored a game-high 18 points and Union withstood a fourth-quarter rally from the Crusaders in a 59-49 victory in the Class A championship game Wednesday night at Clarion University's Tippin Gymnasium.

The Damsels (25-2) improved to 24-0 against District 9 teams this year. It is the program's first district crown since the 1999-2000 season.

"A lot of people looked at us as the favorite before the season, so we had a bull's-eye on our backs this year," said Union coach Josh Meeker. I'm just proud of the girls."

Leading 31-20 at halftime, the Damsels saw their advantage shrink to five points three different times in the fourth quarter before sealing the victory with free throws.

"We knew it was going to be tough tonight," said Meeker. "Elk County came to play and they gave us a fight."

"I think the difference down the stretch was that we didn't get to the free throw line," said Crusaders' coach Ken Pistner, as all 12 of his team's free throw attempts came in the first half.

The Damsels led 17-10 after one quarter before Mortimer tallied 10 of her points in the second period, pushing her team's lead to double digits.

"I told her (Tuesday) that this was a game in which she had to be a leader and step up, and she did," said Meeker.

After being outrebounded 22-14 in the semifinal win against Clarion, Meeker saw marked improvement against the Crusaders.

"Clarion totally outrebounded us, and I told the girls that we cannot let that happen again," he said.

The Damsels responded with a 31-23 advantage on the boards.

Union's vaunted press defense, which caused havoc for its opponents all year long, wasn't the downfall of the Crusaders. First half-shooting was.

While Elk County Catholic committed just 14 turnovers in the game, the team's poor shooting allowed Union to take a 10-0 lead after three minutes of play.

"We couldn't buy a bucket," Pistner said of his team's 5-of-26 performance from the field in the first half (19 percent). "We thought if we handled their press, this would be a good game. But we just couldn't hit the shots early on."

Sophomore Andie Beveridge came off the bench to lead Elk County Catholic with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

"What can you say about a sophomore who comes out and plays the way she did in a big game?" said Pistner.

Both teams will now prepare for the PIAA Class A playoffs, where Union will face the fifth-place team from the WPIAL: either Sewickley Academy or Duquesne.

ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC 49

Claire Posteraro 3 4-5 10, Vicky Straub 4 0-0 8, Andie Beveridge 4 0-1 11, Molly DeFrain 2 0-0 6, Maureen Newell 3 0-0 6, Laura Straub 1 4-6 6, Katie Friedl 1 0-0 2, Meghan Beveridge 0 0-0 0, Brittney Bosnik 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 8-12 49.

UNION 59

Tiffany Corle 2 1-2 5, Andrea Mortimer 6 6-8 18, Janele Divins 1 4-7 6, Beth Koch 4 1-5 9, Nikki Davis 3 2-2 8, Molly Scott 3 0-0 7, Courtney Horner 2 2-2 6, Kayla Hepler 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Shirey 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 16-26 59.

3-point goals:

A. Beveridge 3, DeFrain 2; Scott.

March 5:

Union vs. Sewickley Academy or Duquesne, PIAA Class A First-Round playoff, site and time TBD