KARNS CITY — Karns City coach Dave Kerschbaumer kept waiting for his team's offense to find its groove.

He's still waiting.

The Gremlins scored in single digits in three of four quarters as Union came away with a 44-34 girls basketball victory Wednesday night.

The Gremlins (10-9, 7-7) managed only seven points in the first quarter and never could climb out of their offensive funk.

"They just went harder than we did," Kerschbaumer said of the Damsels. "Our philosophy this year has been to finish strong, whether it's a game, half or a quarter, just finish strong. But we didn't do it tonight."

Allyson Kepple's layup with 2:01 left in the game cut Union's advantage to 40-34, but the Gremlins failed to score again.

For the game, KC shot 14-of-42 for 33 percent from the field. The Gremlins' comeback attempt was hindered by 12 turnovers in the second half.

"I like to think that good defense had a hand in that," Union coach Josh Meeker said. "I'm sure that (KC) missed some shots they normally make, but our help defense was very good tonight.

"Their two big scorers are Kepple and (Ashley) Campbell. I thought we did a good job of controlling them," he added.

Kepple (nine points) and Campbell (five) combined for only 14 points.

But senior Kylee Rankin picked up her scoring to keep the Gremlins in the game, tallying a team-high 13 points, including six in the final period.

"She's a two-year starter," Kerschbaumer said. "If she gets an open look, she usually hits it."

Courtney Frederick sparked Union with 13 points, including three 3-pointers in the first half to help the Damsels lead 28-15 at the break.

Torri Smith, who entered the game as Union's leading scorer, added 10 points.

"They've been up and down," Meeker said of his top two offensive threats. "In the loss to Ford City on Monday, Smith and Frederick combined for eight points. But I know they have it in them."

The Damsels, who have won six of the last seven meetings with KC, got off to a fast start, scoring 19 points in the first period. Frederick led the way with eight.

While Union (13-6, 10-4) will battle Clarion for first place in the KSAC East Friday, Karns City is in third place and will travel to rival Moniteau.

The Gremlins have dropped three of their last four games.

"Right now, we seem to be in a lax period," said Kerschbaumer. "We just have to become mentally tough and start finishing games."

UNION 44Amanda Barger 1 0-1 2, Lanae Cicciarelli 3 2-2 8, Courtney Frederick 5 0-0 13, Torri Smith 3 4-8 10, Melissa Shook 2 0-0 5, Tina Lipps 1 0-0 2, Lepha Logue 1 0-0 2, Kylee Kelley 0 2-4 2, Brooke Pollock 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 16 8-15 44.

KARNS CITY 34Allyson Kepple 4 0-1 9, Ashley Campbell 1 3-6 5, Katie Weibel 1 0-0 2, Kylee Rankin 6 1-4 13, Maureen McGreevey 2 1-2 5, Hannah Beck 0 0-3 0, Taylor Kerschbaumer 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 14 5-16 34.

Union 19 9 6 10—44Karns City 7 8 9 10—343-point goals: Union 4 (Frederick 3, Shook); Karns City 1 (Kepple).

JV: Union 47-31

Friday: Karns City at Moniteau; Union at Clarion

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