CLARION - Many PIAA basketball playoff games are filled with drama and suspense.

The Union girls used the first half making sure their game against Saegertown had neither.

The Damsels shot 63 percent (17-of-27) from the field in a first half that ended with Union holding a commanding 41-12 advantage.

Josh Meeker's team then put the finishing touches on a 70-47 PIAA first-round win Saturday afternoon at Clarion University's Tippin Gymnasium.

"I really didn't know what to expect coming in," said Meeker. "But when I looked at their height, I saw they were just like us. And we've fared very well this season against teams who are similar to us in size."

While the Damsels were hitting shot after shot, the Panthers (24-4) were a dreadful 3-of-21 (14 percent) from the field in the first two quarters.

"Union was on fire in that first half," said Saegertown coach Steve Scott. "And our shots just weren't falling for us."

"(Saegertown) now knows how we felt against Coudersport last week (in the District 9 Class A Championship)," said Meeker. "We couldn't hit anything in that game. It happens in basketball."

The game began with Union (23-5) taking a 12-0 lead after just three and a half minutes of action, leading to a 22-4 cushion after one period.

Senior Briana Wensel led the Damsels' onslaught by scoring nine of her game-high 19 points in the first half.

Andrea Mortimer added 17 points and Bethany Koch ended with 10.

"We aren't a one-girl team," said Meeker. "I was counting on several girls being at their best today. Balanced scoring is the key for us."

Brittany Beatty led the Panthers with 14 points, though 11 of them came in the second half.

"We played pretty well in the second half," said Scott. "But you can't spot a team a 25-30 point lead in a state playoff game and expect to win."

Meeker received 17 points from his bench, led by Molly Scott's seven points.

"On defense, we wanted to press 'em, press 'em, press 'em," said Meeker. "And when you play that style of basketball, you need girls who can come in and give the others a breather. We needed the girls on our bench to contribute today and they did."

The Damsels will return Wednesday against Bishop Carroll (21-6) at a site and time to be determined.

SAEGERTOWN 47

Natasha Beatty 3 3-4 10, Alyssa Woods 2 0-0 5, Karli Wilson 1 3-4 5, Jonelle Taylor 3 0-0 8, Brittany Beatty 6 2-6 14, Trisha Griffin 1 3-4 5, Nicole Rigby 0 0-0 0, Brittany Curtis 0 0-0 0, Megan McDonald 0 0-0 0, Jen Mitchell 0 0-0 0, Kellie Schmalzried 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 11-18 47.

UNION 70

Kayla Hepler 1 1-1 3, Andrea Mortimer 6 5-6 17, Leia Mortimer 1 0-0 2, Briana Wensel 6 6-8 19, Bethany Koch 4 2-3 10, Molly Scott 2 3-4 7, Courtney Horner 2 0-0 5, Tiffany Corle 3 0-0 6, Janele Divins 0 1-2 1, Nikki Davis 0 0-0 0, MacKenzie Shirey 0 0-0 0. Totals: 25 18-24 70.

3-point goals:

Taylor 2, Woods, N. Beatty; Wensel, Horner.

Wednesday:

Union vs. Bishop Carroll at site and time to be determined