By Dustin Kifer

RIMERSBURG – Chrissy Kriebel scored the last eight Clarion points, including a layup as time expired in overtime, to give Clarion a 44-42 win over Union in KSAC play Monday night.

The Union loss snapped a 42-game home win streak for the Damsels dating back to a 51-50 loss to Redbank Valley Jan. 5, 2004. It also put an end to a 68-game regular-season win streak over District 9 Class A teams, a streak dating back to a 59-54 double overtime loss to Keystone Dec. 21, 2001. Heck, the Golden Damsels hadn't lost to a District 9 Class A opponent since Feb. 28, 2004, when Coudersport beat them 53-31 in the District 9 Class A title game. 

After Torri Smith hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 42 with 13 seconds remaining in the extra session, the Lady Cats called a timeout with three seconds left to set up the final play. With the ball along the side, the Lady Cats screened Kriebel open wrapping toward the hoop. After driving along the baseline, Kriebel found herself with an open layup that gave Clarion the overtime win.

Kriebel also played a big role in helping the game reach overtime, as the senior guard put the Bobcats ahead by two with 11 seconds remaining. But Courtney Frederick answered for the Damsels, driving the length of the floor and nailing a runner from just inside the foul line to send the game into the extra session.

Kriebel put an end to a slow offensive start for both teams in overtime hitting a jumper with 1:51 left. Smith cut the Union deficit to one with 1:31 remaining hitting one of two free throws, and with 38 seconds on the clock, she hit a 12-footer to take a 41-40 lead. On Clarion's ensuing possession, Kriebel was fouled. After sinking both free throws, the Bobcats once again took a one point lead, 42-41 , to set up the final series of events.

The Damsels held a 9-3 lead after one quarter and led by as many as 12 during the second quarter. 

However, the Lady Cats ended the half on a 12-2 run spanning the final 4:30 to cut the deficit to two, 18-16, at the half. The Damsels increased their lead to eight, 28-20, with 1:03 left in the third, but a 13-4 Clarion run spanning the next four minutes gave the Lady Cats a 4-point edge.

Kriebel scored 13 points for Clarion , while Kaitlin Roth chipped in with 10 points off the bench. Kriebel and Marie Rhoads each pulled down nine rebounds.

Smith lead all scores with 15 points. The Union senior also pulled down 10 boards, while Tina Lipps added eight points and 14 rebounds. Frederick chipped in with eight points in the losing effort.

Box Score