JEFFERSON TWP — It was a strong test from a strong team from a strong league and Karns City almost passed it.

At the Knoch Lady Knights Christmas Classic Wednesday against Duquesne, the Gremlins girls basketball team erased an 11-point second-half deficit, but Bridget Walker's basket with 1:17 remaining proved to be the difference in a thrilling 51-50 victory by the Dukes.

In the second game, Knoch rolled to an easy 53-8 victory over Deer Lakes and will meet Duquesne in the championship final at 8 p.m. today Karns City will face Deer Lakes at 5 in the consolation final.

"They did put the pressure on and it was a good learning experience for us," said Karns City coach Dave Kerschbaumer. "Now, we can use that and apply it to teams in our league and help us attack and others who attack us."

A free throw by Haley Callihan 12 seconds earlier had given the Gremlins a brief 49-48 lead. A free throw by Taylor Fulton with 41.2 seconds left gave the Dukes (6-3) a 51-49 lead.

The Gremlins' Ashley Campbell sank one of two free throws with 40.5 seconds left to make it a one-point game.

Fulton missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 38.8 seconds left, and Karns City's Kylee Rankin stole an inbounds pass seconds later. The Gremlins then worked the clock for a potential game-winning shot.

Callihan took a turnaround layup, but the ball kicked off the rim. Duquesne's Deshayna Smith reined in the rebound and was fouled with 4.8 seconds left.

Smith missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and the Gremlins grabbed the rebound but couldn't get downcourt in the final seconds to get off a shot.

Karns City (6-3) maintained the lead for the entire first half, taking a slim 22-21 lead into the locker room.

Jessica Johnson's shot on the opening possession of the second half gave the Dukes their first lead of the night, but Allyson Kepple got it right back to give Karns City a 24-23 lead.

Duquesne, however, scored the next seven points and 15 of 19 to take a 38-28 lead with 2:50 left in the third quarter.

"We gave up 23 points in the third quarter. During breaks, we got on the kids to show character and make some stops," Kerschbaumer said.

"They used their athleticism at the end of the game," he added. "Walker is one of the best guards in the WPIAL."

Walker totaled a game-high 21 points and teammate Suteakee King added 12. The Gremlins received 19 points from Callihan and 13 from Kepple.

Knoch 53, Deer Lakes 8

Unlike the earlier game, the Knights jumped out to a 13-2 lead a little over four minutes into the game and cruised into today's championship game.

"It was nice to get off to a quick start," said Knoch coach Curt Vasas. "That set the tone for the whole game."

Leanne Wiefling had the hot hand early for Knoch (7-2), scoring seven of the team's first 10 points.

After a basket by Deer Lakes' Jocelyn Hatfield made it 13-4, the Knights scored the next 26 points, holding Deer Lakes scoreless over a 15:38 span and just four points over the final 27:37.

"I tell the girls, no matter what, you have to play defense," said Vasas. "I think last year that was a team weakness for us. This year, it's creating offense for us."

The Knights had five players with seven or more points, led by Wiefling, who had 11, all coming in the first half.

Vasas inserted senior reserves Ashley Cetnar and Anita Hartzel into the starting lineup and both saw extensive action, as did most of the Knights' bench.

Notes: Knoch defeated Deer Lakes 25-9 in the lone junior varsity game that was played in four five-minute quarters ... Knoch and Karns City's junior varsity teams will meet at 6:30 p.m.

DUQUESNE 51Taylor Fulton 2 3-7 7, Tyneka Barlow 3 1-2 7, Suteakee King 6 0-0 12, Bridget Walker 10 1-5 21, Jessica Johnson 1 0-2 2, Shadawn Davidson 0 0-0 0, Deshayna Smith 1 0-1 2, Jessica Pitts 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 5-17 51.

KARNS CITY 50Tausha Bowser 0 0-0 0, Allyson Kepple 5 0-1 13, Ashley Campbell 3 1-2 7, Haley Callihan 7 3-5 19, Kylee Rankin 0 2-4 2, Michelle Sweeney 1 0-0 3, Julia Zaludek 2 2-2 6, Kailyn Weibel 0 0-0 0, Karyssa Callender 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 8-14 50.

Duquesne 13 8 23 7—51Karns City 16 6 13 15—503-point goals: Kepple 3, Callihan 2, Sweeney

Today: Consolation final-Karns City vs. Deer Lakes, 5 p.m.

DEER LAKES 8Sara Katich 0 0-2 0, Sarah Toth 0 0-0 0, Jamie Bradley 1 0-0 2, Jocelyn Hatfield 2 0-0 4, Amanda Murphy 0 0-0 0, Samantha Holtz 1 0-0 2, Bridgette Dawson 0 0-0 0, Mikaela Jaros 0 0-0 0, Nikki Garland 0 0-2 0, Christine Haught 0 0-0 0, Jessie Klugh 0 0-0 0. Totals: 4 0-4 8.

KNOCH 53Leanne Wiefling 5 0-2 11, Abby Marshall 2 0-1 4, Pam Gagen 2 0-0 4, Ashley Cetnar 3 0-0 7, Anita Hartzel 0 0-0 0, Megan Gray 1 0-2 2, Haley Hutterer 1 0-0 2, Sara Montgomery 4 0-0 8, Sarah Cooper 1 5-5 7, Lizz King 2 3-3 8, Kristen Gagen 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 8-13 53.

Deer Lakes 4 0 2 2—8Knoch 18 13 16 6—533-point goals: Wiefling, King, Cetnar

Today: Championship final-Duquesne vs. Knoch, 8 p.m.