KARNS CITY — While the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference standings have been a source of confusion for the Union boys basketball team, there was nothing befuddling about the way the Golden Knights played Friday night.

Union seized control early and dominated the second half on the way to a 70-37 road win over Karns City.

“It looked like they were all on the same page and we weren't,” said Karns City coach Chris Bellis.

Forgive the Golden Knights for playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulder.

Union coach Karen Davis was under the impression that her team would have a two-game lead over Moniteau in the KSAC South Division after the win over the Gremlins.

As it turns out, her team is tied with the Warriors because only the games against other South teams determine who plays in the KSAC title game.

The North and South winners play Feb. 19 to decide the conference title.

Union and Moniteau split their two meetings this season — the only losses the two teams have suffered in the South.

Confused? So is Davis.

“If we win out, we're going to be fine because we've won more games (against North teams),” Davis said.

Overall conference record breaks a tie if two teams finish with the same division record.

“I'm furious,” Davis added. “If it ends up we're not going to play (for the KSAC championship), I'm going to be jacked. People are going to be furious.”

There's no confusion in the KSAC North, as Venango Catholic is undefeated. Union and Moniteau are battling to see who squares off against the Vikings in the KSAC title game.

Davis said she just found out about the actual standings earlier this week.

Both Union and Moniteau play the same two teams in the final week of the regular season: Karns City and A-C Valley. Union also must face Redbank Valley in the season finale Thursday.

The Golden Knights (14-5, 6-1) wasted little time in dispatching the Gremlins in their first key meeting.

Union opened with a 10-2 run and led 25-11 midway through the second quarter.

Karns City, though, made a push toward the end of the half, cutting the lead to 10 points with less than two minutes remaining, but the Knights were able to push the lead back to 14 at the half.

Union put the game out of reach with a torrid second half, pushing the lead to 20 late in the third quarter and to 30 midway through the fourth period.

The defense pleased Davis more than her offense.

“I like the scoring, but the defense is what I'm excited about,” Davis said. “This is what we're going to have to do to win.”

Trent Corle scored 18 points to lead Union.

Jake Henry led Karns City with 15 points.

“He's been our leading scorer and leading rebounder,” Bellis said of Henry. “He's done a lot of dirty work this season. He leads our team in charges taken. That's not a real glamorous thing, but he's done that for us, too.”

UNION 70Taylor Smith 6-12 0-0 14, Brody Pollock 4-10 4-7 14, Shawn Booth 2-4 1-2 6, Trent Corle 8-9 2-3 18, Aaron Graham 0-1 0-0 0, Derek Shirey 1-2 2-2 4, Austin Davis 1-2 0-0 2, Chase Johnston 0-1 2-3 2, Mike Harris 2-3 1-2 4, Brody Shick 1-2 2-2 5.

Totals: 25-48 14-21 70.

KARNS CITY 37Brad Fuhrer 1-4 0-0 2, Brandyn Bowser 0-4 1-2 1, Dylan Hipple 0-1 0-0 0, Jake Henry 5-7 4-4 15, Ethan Williams 3-9 0-0 6, Brady Ellenberger 0-2 0-0 0, Andrew Johnston 0-0 2-2 2, Tucker Preston 2-6 0-0 5, Josh Wallace 1-3 0-0 2, Kyle Barger 0-1 0-0 0, Tyler Kepple 0-4 0-0 0, Tom Stoughton 0-2 2-2 2, Zach Kepple 1-4 0-0 2.

Totals: 13-47 9-10 37.

Union 17 15 18 20—70Karns City 6 12 9 10—373-point goals: Union 6 (Smith 2, Pollock 2, Booth, Shick); Karns City 2 (Henry, Preston).

JV Score: Karns City 37-35

Tuesday: Union at A-C Valley; Moniteau at Karns City