“Our defense provided opportunities for our offense and we scored off them,” Thompson noted. “We needed that.”

It was a 10-point cushion, 32-22, at the 4:48 mark of the third period when THS went on another surge – again sparked by a defense that forced seven more turnovers.

Niemerg hit another jumper to get things going. Anna Probst and Malea Helmink converted Lady Green Wave turnovers into scores. Anna Probst hit a pair of foul shots and Chloe Probst added another from the line to make it 41-22. After a free throw by Mattoon’s Bella Masse, Ruholl scored after grabbing an offensive rebound and Niemerg scored after another turnover to complete the 14-1 run and send the Lady Shoes into the fourth quarter with a 23-point cushion, 46-23.

“Everyone is doing things better at their position on the press,” Thompson said. “Kelsey is very athletic. I thought she did a heckuva job at the top of the press tonight and Chloe and Z (Isabella Zerrusen) covered the back side very well.”

Mattoon, now 14-3 on the season, got 10 points from both Conyers and Ava Larson.

The Lady Shoes also had two players in double figures – Chloe Probst with 14 and Niemerg with 12. T-Town shot 36 percent overall, connecting on 18-of-50 shots. They were just 1-for-10 from behind the arc and 19-of-27 from the foul line.

The Lady Shoes also held a 27-15 rebounding edge, something Coach Thompson was very pleased with.

“We preach rebounding every night in practice,” she said. “I thought we hit the boards hard tonight. We got the ball and we were strong with it.”

T-Town is now 12-4 on the season. The Lady Shoes will return to action Saturday, facing Petersburg PORTA at the Breese Central Paws Shootout. That game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

“I think our mindset is getting better,” Thompson said. “I think the girls are stronger mentally and are making better decisions. Summer, Z and Chloe are good leaders, and the younger kids are relaxing more on the court. We’ve got a tough schedule and a long road ahead, but we’re getting better every day.”