SLIPPERY ROCK - The Union girls basketball team watched as its 8-point, fourth quarter lead became just a memory.

The team's state title hopes soon followed.

With 4:15 left to play, the Union girls basketball team held a 54-46 lead, an advantage that officially disappeared when Alexis George drained a 3-pointer with 12.3 seconds remaining, giving Kennedy Catholic a 60-59 advantage.

In the waning seconds, Union got the ball in the hands of its top scorer - Andrea Mortimer. The junior forward missed a baseline jumper, got her own rebound and put up one final shot that didn't fall, giving the Golden Eagles a 1-point win in a PIAA Class A quarterfinal game Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

"We couldn't design it any better than that," said Union coach Josh Meeker of his team's final chance. "We were at least hoping for (Mortimer) to get fouled so she could go to the line and hit one or two free throws, but it didn't happen."

Kennedy Catholic's Kendra Radkowski served as a catalyst during her team's comeback.

The junior center scored seven points in a span of two minutes, 20 seconds before George hit the winning 3-point goal.

After forcing a Union turnover, Kennedy Catholic called a timeout with 45.9 seconds left and trailing 59-57.

The Golden Eagles missed their first two shots, but received clutch offensive rebounds to keep the possession alive.

Following the second carom, the ball was kicked out to George, who made good on her shot from beyond the arc.

Radkowski led all scorers with 26 points.

"I don't know if people realize how much she was hurting today," said Kennedy Catholic coach Pat Mastrian of his star player. "She has a separated right shoulder and I give her so much credit for coming up to me before the game and saying, 'Coach, I'm ready to go.'"

"She had a different style than that of the other big players we've faced," said Meeker of Radkowski. "She was so quick to the basket and we simply didn't have an answer for her."

It was the second game in a row in which Kennedy Catholic had to come from behind late. In their second-round win over Clairton, the Golden Eagles trailed by seven points in the final minute.

"We've got a lot of playoff experience on this team and that's what made the difference," said Mastrian. "No matter what we do in our next game, the shirts we give to the girls at our team banquet are going to say 'never give up.'"

Mortimer led the Damsels with 19 points, including 11 of her team's 13 tallies in the opening quarter.

Beth Koch added 13 points in the defeat, while Nikki Davis tallied nine rebounds.

Union (27-3) had the upper hand for much of the game and it all began with inspired play in the second quarter.

The Damsels trailed 23-13 with 4:35 remaining in the first half.

Led by Koch's seven points in the final minutes of the second period, Union managed a 15-4 run and led 28-27 at halftime.

The Damsels were winning the battles for loose balls and had a 17-10 advantage in rebounds at the break.

"The girls fought so hard today," said Meeker. "Some of the plays they made, it shows what great athletes they are."

The loss ends a remarkable year for Union.

"I told the girls that they have so much to be proud of," said Meeker. "We won the KSAC and District 9 titles in the same year and no Union team had ever done that.

"The girls proved today that they can play with any team in the state," Meeker added.

It was the first time in 22 games that Union surrendered more than 53 points.

Kennedy Catholic (24-4) will meet Serra Catholic in the western final on Wednesday.

KENNEDY CATHOLIC 60

Teresa Picciotto 2 2-2 6, Heather Brooks 3 0-1 8, Alexis George 2 1-2 7, Hallie Arena 3 0-0 6, Dierdre Reimold 2 3-4 7, Kendra Radkowski 11 4-7 26, Jenna Schwarz 0 0-0 0, Leanne Magestro 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 11-17 60.

UNION 59

Tiffany Corle 1 1-2 3, Andrea Mortimer 8 3-4 19, Janele Divins 2 4-5 8, Mackenzie Shirey 0 2-2 2, Beth Koch 5 2-2 13, Nikki Davis 2 0-2 4, Molly Scott 2 2-2 6, Courtney Horner 2 0-0 4. Totals: 22 14-19 59.

3-point goals:

George 2, Brooks; Koch.