CHERRY TWP — Before Kristin Auvil knew it, the ball was rolling to her feet.

The Moniteau sophomore guard scooped it up just outside the 3-point arc and heard a teammate yell, “Shoot!”

So, Auvil did.

And made it.

Her 3-pointer tied the game against rival Karns City Monday night at 43-43 with 45 seconds left and set up teammate Emma Bair's game-winning layup with five seconds remaining as the Warriors squeaked out a 46-43 win over the Gremlins on their home floor in their regular-season finale.

“My coach is always telling me to have confidence, always,” Auvil said. “And to just keep shooting even if I'm not making them.

“It all happened so fast,” Auvil said. “It's just crazy how it happened.”

Moniteau coach Dee Arblaster was feeling a little nervous about one of her most prolific shooters and gave the sophomore a pep talk during a time out shortly before Auvil's 3-pointer.

“I told her to get that ice water back in her veins,” Arblaster said.

She did and it began a frantic final minute between two rivals who were trying to head into the postseason on positive notes.

Karns City (10-10) fell behind big early, but scratched its way back into the game thanks to Emily Hegedus and Olivia Mourer.

The Gremlins led 43-40 with a little less than two minutes remaining and looked to be in control before a couple of costly turnovers hurt them, including the errant pass that ended up at Auvil's feet.

It was the second consecutive close loss for Karns City, which dropped a one-point decision to A-C Valley Friday.

“That's kind of been our life story this season,” said Karns City coach Steve Andreassi. “We went down the stretch with A-C. Down the stretch here. Down the stretch in several games.

“We didn't handle the rock,” Andreassi added.

It put a frustrating cap on a night that started and ended with ample doses of chagrin for Karns City.

And equal amounts of elation for Moniteau.

The Warriors (12-10) led 18-9 after the first quarter with Andie Arblaster scoring eight points in the spurt.

Moniteau was also keeping Hegedus in check with just two points on two free throws in the first.

But by the half, the Warriors had just a two-point lead and Hegedus already had a double-double.

“We did everything we could to let them come back,” Arblaster said. “The nerves get to them I think and it's Karns City.”

It was also senior night, which added an extra onus of Moniteau.

Bair made sure her teammates and the fans went home happy with her game-winner with just five seconds left.

“They are our rivals and we really wanted to win on our home court,” Bair said. “I always work hard on trying to post. I got my opportunity and I didn't blow it, so that's good.

“I wouldn't have been in that position to make that shot if (Auvil) hadn't hit that big 3,” Bair added.

Bair finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds. She only had two blocked shots after coming into the game averaging more than five an outing.

Hegedus finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds.

“You're not going to stop her,” Arblaster said. “She's a nice player. We just wanted to make sure no one else beat us.”

Mourer, who missed a year and a half with an ACL injury, added eight points for the Gremlins.

“She's someone you really root for,” Andreassi said.

After the Bair shot, Karns City still had a chance, but Hegedus was called for a charge after receiving an inbound pass and turning up court.

Andreassi and the Karns City faithful were not pleased with the call.

“The call at the end of the game didn't go our way,” Andreassi said. “It is what it is.”

KARNS CITY 43

Alyssa Stitt 2-11 0-0 5, Emily Hegedus 7-15 10-12 24, Olivia Mourer 4-5 0-0 8, Sara Knox 2-4 0-0 4, Livia Andreassi 0-11 0-0 0, Madison Kelly 0-3 0-0 0, Emma Clark 0-1 2-2 2, Maura King 0-1 0-0 0.

MONITEAU 46

Bailey Hartle 0-0 0-0 0, Andie Arblaster 4-8 1-2 11, Izzy Bair 1-3 1-4 4, Emma Bair 6-17 7-10 20, Alex Hartle 1-5 1-3 3, Kristin Auvil 2-9 2-2 8, Aslyn Pry 0-0 0-0 0.

Karns City 9 16 9 9 — 43

Moniteau18 9 7 12 — 46

Wednesday: Karns City at Clarion-Limestone

TBD: Moniteau in District 9 playoffs