KARNS CITY — A fast start and a solid finish.

At least Karns City girls basketball coach Dave Kerschbaumer received one of them and it paved the way to a victory over KSAC-South Division rival Moniteau.

The Gremlins were the recipients of 18 Warrior turnovers in the first 14 minutes of play, building a 26-12 lead in that span. Despite a lackluster fourth period, Karns City went on to post a 46-31 win on its home floor Tuesday night.

Karns City (4-1, 3-0) pressed on defense early and often.

“Opening up the game with the press, it's good for us because it gets us energized,” said sophomore point guard Emily Hegedus. “It caused a lot of Moniteau's turnovers.”

“We wanted to set the tone early,” said Kerschbaumer. “We missed free throws, but knocked down some shots.”

Sisters LeeAnn and Alyssa Gibson both scored six points in the opening quarter, after which the Gremlins led 14-7.

Turnovers prevented Moniteau (4-1, 2-1) from getting into a rhythm on offense. The Warriors attempted just 14 field goals in the first half. All four of the makes belonged to Alazia Greaves, who finished with a team-high 10 points.

While KC's press forced turnovers, some of the miscues happened in Moniteau's half-court set via errant passes.

“We need to learn how to make a bounce pass. Unforced errors killed us,” said Moniteau coach Dee Arblaster. “This was on me. I didn't have the team prepared. Having Kristina (DeMatteis) and Sara (Hull) in foul trouble didn't help.”

Trailing 44-21 entering the fourth period, the Warriors turned the tables on the Gremlins, forcing the home team into nine turnovers in the final eight minutes. Karns City was outscored 10-2 in the period.

“We had them where we wanted them entering the final quarter,” said Kerschbaumer, “but we got sloppy and didn't finish the game the way we wanted.”

LeeAnn Gibson paced the Gremlins with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Hegedus added 14 points and Alyssa Gibson 11.

Hegedus has made a smooth transition from being the team's top player off the bench last season to the starting point guard.

“She's the floor leader and has stepped into her sister's (Annie Hegedus, Class of 2015) role,” said Kerschbaumer. “She can score and that makes it nice coming from a point guard. She has some length to her (5-foot-9) and that causes some problems for other teams.”

“I played point guard all through my years at Butler Catholic,” said Hegedus. “So, I'm used to the position.”

MONITEAU 31

Kristina DeMatteis 1 5-10 7, Alazia Greaves 5 0-1 10, Sara Hull 1 3-4 5, Emma Bair 4 0-0 8, Cambrie Campbell 0 1-4 1, Andie Arblaster 0 0-0 0, Kennedy DeMatteis 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Ripley 0 0-0 0, Kara Mentel 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 9-19 31.

KARNS CITY 46

Alyssa Gibson 3 4-7 11, Brody Whited 1 0-2 2, Abby Wolfe 1 0-1 2, LeeAnn Gibson 6 3-9 15, Emily Hegedus 5 1-3 14, Mackenzie Craig 1 0-0 2. Totals: 17 8-22 46.

Moniteau 7 5 9 10 — 31

Karns City14 14 16 2 — 46

3-point goals: A.Gibson, Hegedus 3

Friday: Karns City at A-C Valley

Saturday: Moniteau at General McLane