In a PIAA Class 2A first-round matchup with Penns Manor Wednesday night, Taite Beighley and Luke Cramer came up big and Karns City eked out a 46-45 boys basketball victory over the host Comets.

With under two minutes to go, Cramer rounded a screen and swished a trey that kept the Gremlins (20-7) within striking distance. Taite Beighley’s and-one on the team’s next possession gave KC the lead with four ticks left.

Led by Micah Rupp, a stingy second-half defensive effort also helped the Gremlins’ cause after both groups started out hot. Penns Manor nursed a 35-29 lead at halftime.

“In the second half, things kind of slowed down a little bit,” Karns City coach Zach Kepple said. “Both teams changed what we were doing defensively. We played some man, some zone, some trap, and we started a full-court press.”

The adjustment paid dividends, as the Comets (20-6) could only record 10 points in the final 16 minutes.

“Early on, their bigs killed us,” Kepple said. “It wasn’t necessarily that it was part of their offense that they were killing us. They were just getting second opportunities and going back up strong with the ball. We limited that in the second half.”

Before Beighley’s go-ahead bucket, Penns Manor missed a pair of free throws.

“We did a good job adjusting (and) never really giving up,” Kepple said. “With less than two minutes left, we were down six or seven points. We had some big defensive stops, knocked down some good shots ... We did a good job of pushing up the floor and getting good looks.”

On Saturday, the Gremlins will clash with the winner of Thursday’s tilt between Wyalusing and Old Forge.

KARNS CITY 46

Taite Beighley 18, Luke Cramer 12, Cole Sherwin 8, Micah Rupp 6, Luke Garing 2. Totals: 19 3-6 46.

PENNS MANOR 45

Kohen 14, Grimaldi 14, Hill 6, Gresko 6, Koches 3, Courvina 2. Totals: 21 0-2 45.

Karns City 16 13 6 11 — 46

Penns Manor 20 15 4 6 — 45

3-point goals: Karns City 5 (Sherwin 2, Beighley 2, Cramer); Penns Manor 3 (Gresko 2, Koches)

Saturday, PIAA Class 2A second round: Karns City vs. team to be determined

Hockey

North Catholic dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to McDowell in a PIHL Class A quarterfinal playoff Tuesday night in Cranberry Township.

Ryan Berry's goal with 24 seconds left in regulation pulled North even, but McDowell got the game-winner on a wrist shot from Kurt Johnson with just three seconds remaining in overtime.

Tay Melis gave North (14-7) the lead with a power-play goal early in the first period. Ro Alessandro notched a pair of assists and Dylan Bourque made 35 saves in defeat.

North also lost a 5-4 decision to McDowell in the final game of the regular season two weeks ago.