KARNS CITY — The second quarter proved to be eight minutes of strife for Karns City — and Keystone took full advantage.

The Panthers feasted on 10 Gremlin turnovers as Keystone dominated the second period with a 22-3 run that sparked a 61-47 girls basketball KSAC South Division road win Wednesday night.

“To come down here and win on their court, it gives our kids a lot of confidence because Karns City is a very good team,” said Keystone coach Barry Foust. “We came here wanting to play a complete game and we did.”

The Gremlins (11-3, 3-1) held a five-point edge at the start of the second quarter, but Keystone (12-3, 4-2) scored the first 14 points of the period and never trailed again.

Turnovers were a major contributor to KC's woes, but the team also made just one of its 10 field-goal attempts in the period.

“Things happen and I don't think we were playing with much confidence at that point,” said Gremlin coach Dave Kerschbaumer. “They (Panthers) put the ball in the basket and got to the loose balls and we didn't.”

With his team enjoying a 32-16 halftime lead, Foust knew the Gremlins were due for a run and he was right.

LeeAnn Gibson and Shanel Preston teamed up to take KC on a 10-0 run that sliced the Panther edge to 38-26 late in the third period. That's when Keystone senior Madison Johnson halted KC's advance with a pair of momentum-breaking 3-pointers. The first came with 1:25 left in the quarter and she followed with another trey 42 seconds later. The outside shots pushed Keystone's lead back to 16 points at 44-28.

Johnson finished with a game-high 28 points, including 20 of the Panthers' 29 second-half points.

“Maddy took over the game,” Foust said of Johnson, a St. Francis (Pa.) University recruit. “Karns City made their run, but we weathered it. Our kids have played basketball long enough and they didn't panic.”

The Gremlins made a few runs in the final period, but never did get within 10 points. Johnson made 9-of-11 free throws in the final eight minutes to keep KC at bay.

Gibson scored 14 points to lead KC and Preston contributed 13.

The Gremlins had defeated the host Panthers 42-38 Dec. 27.

“Anytime we play one of Barry's teams, it's going to be a tight game,” Kerschbaumer said.

As the defending District 9 Class AA champions, the Gremlins are well aware that teams have them circled on the schedule.

“Being the top dog, I think we've handled it well this year,” said Kerschbaumer. “The kids are getting after each other in practice, but tonight, Keystone flat out beat us.”

KEYSTONE 61

McKenna Shick 4 3-4 11, Josselin Geer 3 3-4 11, Shayla Chapman 0 2-3 2, Alyssa Beichner 2 0-1 4, Madison Johnson 6 14-17 28, Amber Hess 2 0-0 5, Kaci Weaver 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 22-29 61.

KARNS CITY 47

Annie Hegedus 1 0-1 3, Emily LoPresti 2 0-0 5, Shanel Preston 3 5-6 13, LeeAnn Gibson 6 2-4 14, Alyssa Gibson 0 3-6 3, Emily Hegedus 4 1-5 9. Totals: 16 11-22 47.

Keystone 10 22 12 17 — 61

Karns City13 3 12 19 — 47

3-point goals: Keystone 5 (Geer 2, Johnson 2, Hess); Karns City 4 (Preston 2, A. Hegedus, LoPresti).

Friday: Cranberry at Karns City