Karns City coach Zach Kepple hands out the second-place medals after the Gremlins fell to Clarion-Limestone, 51-46, in the KSAC boys basketball title game at Clarion University Saturday night. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 2/18/23

CLARION — Both teams had their moments in the fourth quarter. Clarion-Limestone had the last one.

The Lions (22-2) outscored Karns City 8-2 in the final 3:20 Saturday night to win the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference boys basketball championship game, 51-46, at Tippin Gymnasium on the campus of Clarion University.

The game was even at 35 entering the fourth period.

“We had our chances. We just didn’t execute well down the stretch,” Karns City coach Zach Kepple said.

“This was a four-quarter battle and we knew it would be,” C-L coach Joe Ferguson said. “We made a couple of big plays down the stretch. That was the difference.”

Tate Beighley puts up a late 3-point shot for Karns City against Clarion-Limestone in the KSAC boys title game Saturday night. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 2/18/23

The Lions never led by more than seven points. The Gremlins (20-4) did not get their first lead until a Shane Peters layup with 4:34 left in the third period gave them a 31-30 edge. Karns City never led by more than three in seeing its eight-game winning streak snapped.

C-L opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run for a 42-35 lead, but KC answered with a 9-1 run of its own, Micah Rupp canning a fadeaway jumper from the right corner for a 44-43 edge with 3:22 to play.

An Alex Painter layup with 2:30 to play gave C-L the lead it never lost. KC trailed 49-46 when Hobie Bartoe missed a 3-point shot with nine seconds left. Jack Callen secured the rebound and drained a pair of free throws for the Lions, putting the game out of reach.

“We had some open looks, but the shots don’t always fall,” Kepple said. “We had them in foul trouble early in this game and didn’t take advantage of it like we could have.

“Our kids are upset about this loss, but I still like this team. I think we can make a run in the district playoffs.”

Clarion-Limestone enjoyed a 33-20 advantage on the boards and won the game despite missing point guard Jase Ferguson, who was out with an injury.

“I love the effort my team put out there tonight,” Coach Ferguson. “Guys stepped up and went out and got this.”

Painter was named Player of the Game, scoring a game-high 17 points and grabbing three rebounds. Jordan Hesdon scored 12 points, had four rebounds and two steals while Callen tallied 11 points and seven boards for the Lions.

Taite Beighley led the Gremlins with 15 points, six assists and three steals. Rupp had 15 points and six rebounds.

Karns City sank three of 11 field goal attempts in the fourth quarter. C--L sank all four of its shots from the floor and connected on eight of 10 free throws in the final eight minutes.

The two teams split their regular season matchups, each winning by double digits.

“It wasn’t going to be that way this time,” Kepple said. “We figured it’d come down to the end, maybe even go into overtime. We may see these guys again in the playoffs.”

KARNS CITY 46

Hobie Bartoe 1-6 2-4 4, Taite Beighley 4-15 6-7 15, Braden Grossman 1-2 0-0 3, Micah Rupp 6-9 2-3 15, Jacob Callihan 1-4 2-3 4, Shane Peters 2-8 1-2 5. Totals: 15-44 13-21 46.

CLARION-LIMESTONE 51

Jordan Hesdon 2-3 8-10 12, Alex Painter 7-13 1-2 17, Rylie Klingensmith 2-6 2-4 6, Tommy Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Jack Callen 4-7 3-5 11, Jack Craig 0-3 2-2 2, Ty Rankin 0-0 1-2 1, Logan Lutz 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 16-33 17-25 51.

Karns City 8 11 16 11 — 46

Clarion-Limestone 13 10 12 16 — 51

3-pointers: Karns City 3 (Beighley, Grossman, Rupp); Clarion-Limestone 2 (Painter 2)

Wednesday: District 9 2A playoffs-Port Allegany at Karns City, 6:30 p.m.