KANE - When a team's offense struggles for eight minutes, it can cost that team a victory.

In the case of the Karns City girls basketball team, it simply made things a bit more interesting.

Leading Kane 32-16 entering the third period, the Gremlins proceeded to miss all 12 of their attempts from the field and scored just three points in the quarter.

Karns City's defense stiffened, however, holding the Wolves to just four points in the period en route to a 56-46 District 9 Class AA first-round playoff victory Tuesday.

"(Kane) came out in the second half and changed up their defense on us," said Gremlins coach Chris Bellis. "We didn't handle that well, but our defense stepped up and held them to just four points."

Kane's Heather DeChano made a basket with 2:47 left in the game that cut Karns City's advantage to 41-31, but the Gremlins' free throw shooting held off a potential late run from the Wolves (11-13).

Karns City (12-13) went 27-of-35 for 77 percent at the line, and 19 of the Gremlins' 24 second-half points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, were tallied on free throws.

"We've got a young team," said Bellis. "There in the fourth quarter, we were up and trying to protect the lead with free throws. We're not used to being in that position, but I'm pleased with the way our girls responded in a playoff situation."

Haley Callihan led the Gremlins with 22 points, including an 11-of-12 effort from the foul line.

Allyson and Laura Kepple contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

While Karns City's scoring drought lasted just one period, Kane went through a horrid offensive slump through the first three quarters.

After 24 minutes of play, the Wolves were a dreadful 5-of-40 for 12.5 percent from the field. The team's score became respectable with a 26-point performance in the final period.

"It was just a case of our girls missing the shots," said Kane coach Stacy Hastings. "But this team had just (five) wins last year and I'm proud of the way we played tonight."

Senior guard Vanessa Smith led the Wolves with 16 points but managed just two field goals.

"Driving to the basket is (Smith's) strength," said Bellis. "And I believe we did a good job of taking that away from her."

The win lands Karns City in a district semifinal showdown against Cranberry Friday at Clarion University at a time to be determined.

KARNS CITY 56

Melissa Collier 0 4-6 4, Laura Kepple 3 3-4 10, Haley Callihan 4 11-12 22, Ashley Fuhrer 2 0-0 4, Morgan Summerville 0 2-2 2, Brianna Markle 0 3-4 3, Allyson Kepple 3 4-4 11, Jaime Reott 0 0-2 0, Brittany Green 0 0-1 0, Kailyn Weibel 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 27-35 56.

KANE 46

Heather DeChano 3 0-0 6, Jillian Hamilton 0 4-6 4, Emily Kane 1 0-0 2, Michelle Sink 3 0-0 6, Lauren Bly 5 0-0 12, Vanessa Smith 2 12-15 16, Jesse Karger 0 0-0 0, Heather Pence 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 16-21 46.

3-point goals:

Callihan 3, A. Kepple, L. Kepple; Bly

Next game:

Karns City vs. Cranberry, District 9 Class AA semifinals, Friday at Clarion University, time TBD