RIMERSBURG — The Union girls basketball team was running on a treadmill in the first half of its District 9 Class A first-round playoff game against visiting Sheffield.

The Damsels had forced 19 turnovers in the first two quarters, but had committed 19 themselves and held a slim 28-24 lead at the break.

"We'd get a turnover, but weren't able to take care of business at the other end of the floor," said Union coach Josh Meeker.

The Damsels did take care of business in the second half, especially in the third quarter when they outscored the Wolverines 16-5 en route to a 68-48 victory.

The Damsels (15-7) will travel to fourth-seeded Otto-Eldred, a 39-28 winner over Brockway, for a quarterfinal showdown with the date, time and site to be announced.

"We made some adjustments to our press defense in the second half and I think that was key," said Meeker.

Scoring on the other end also was important.

A Union steal and basket by Ashley MacKinlay halfway through the third quarter put the Damsels up by 14 points and capped a 13-3 run.

Union forced 13 Sheffield turnovers in the period.

The Wolverines (7-15) rebounded with 19 points in the final quarter, but the game had been decided by that point.

"They went with a 1-2-2 press in the second half and we couldn't handle it," said Sheffield coach Mike Bancroft. "We finally beat it by getting the ball to the middle of the court, but it was too late.

"Union was the faster team in the second half and that was the difference," he added.

The Damsels ended the game with three players scoring in double digits. Sierra Smith led the victory with 22 points, Brooke Pollock had 21 and Tina Lipps contributed 18 points and 17 rebounds.

"Between anticipating passes, getting steals and driving to the hoop, Sierra has been a great sixth man for us all season," said Meeker. "She's always a spark for us."

Caryn Copley led the Wolverines with 16 points, including 11 in the first half.

Both teams came running out of the gate as the Damsels led 12-10 after the first four minutes.

But for the remainder of the first half, turnovers slowed both teams.

For the game, Sheffield had 37 miscues and Union had 33.

"Sheffield was scrappy tonight. They didn't play like a 7-14 team," said Meeker. "I told our girls that we aren't going to show up and dominate a team right from the start. We need to play hard every night."

SHEFFIELD 48Abby Berlin 1 3-6 5, Amber Morrison 2 1-2 5, Kristie Steffan 6 0-0 12, Caryn Copley 7 1-3 16, Kayla Steffan 5 0-0 10, Hannah Vile 0 0-0 0, Brittany Summers 0 0-0 0, Juli Ely 0 0-0 0, Hanna Fitch 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 21 5-11 48.

UNION 68Delani Priester 1 0-0 2, Mariah Winchester 1 1-2 3, Ashley MacKinlay 1 0-0 2, Brooke Pollock 9 3-4 21, Sierra Smith 6 10-14 22, Tina Lipps 7 4-5 18, Niki Stuart 0 0-0 0, Daneka Stuart 0 0-0 0, Larissa Roberts 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 25 18-25 68.

Sheffield 14 10 5 19—48Union 17 11 16 24—683-point goals: Sheffield 1 (Copley); Union (none).

Next: Union at Otto-Eldred, District 9 Class A Quarterfinal; date, time and site TBD