By Dustin Kifer

RIMERSBURG – Union remained unbeaten and scored a critical early season win in the KSAC-East as the Golden Damsels held on for a 47-45 win over Karns City Friday night at Union High School.

Union (4-0 overall, 1-0 KSAC) held a 40-28 lead after three quarters of play but had to fend off a comeback by the Lady Gremlins in the final minutes. Karns outscored Union 17-7 in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by three points in the final minute, Karns City (2-2, 1-1) was whistled for an intentional foul during a Union possession placing Amanda Barger on the line. Barger missed both shots, but on Union’s ensuing possession, junior guard Courtney Frederick was fouled. She made both free throws for a five point lead.

On the following possession, Karns City’s Allyson Kepple was fouled on a three-point attempt with two seconds remaining. Kepple made all three, cutting the lead to two, but Union’s inbound pass to midcourt ran out the remaining seconds.

Senior guard Torri Smith led the Damsels with 23 points, while Frederick added 13. Freshman Tina Lipps pulled down eight rebounds.

Ashley Campbell led the Gremlins with 14 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Kepple also reached double figures with 12.

NOTES:  Both teams were plagued with poor shooting from the free throw line, as Karns City finished 10-of-22 while Union was 13-of-24 … Union has now won 42 straight home games dating back to a Jan. 5, 2004, loss to Redbank Valley … Karns City returns to action Monday against Shenango in a non-conference matchup … Union will host Clarion in KSAC play the same night

UNION 47, KARNS CITY 45

 Score By Quarter

 Karns City  7  10  11  17  -  45

 Union  9  13  18  7  - 47

 KARNS CITY – 45

 Taylor Kerschbaumer 0 0-0 0, Caitlin Davis 0 0-0 0, Allyson Kepple 4 3-6 12, Hannah Beck 1 0-2 2, Ashley Campbell 5 4-6 14, Katie Weible 1 1-2 3, Kylee Rankin 3 0-0 6, Maureen McGreevy 3 2-6 8. Totals 17 10-22 45.

 UNION – 47

 Amanda Barger 0 0-2 0, Lanae Cicciarelli 1 0-0 2, Courtney Frederick 5 3-5 13, Brooke Pollock 1 0-0 2, Torri Smith 6 9-14 23, Melissa Shook 1 0-1 2, Tina Lipps 2 1-2 5. Totals 16 13-24 47.

 
Three-Pointers: Karns City 1 (Kepple), Union 2 (Smith 2)