The Lady Maroons made four free throws over the next 46 seconds to expand the margin to six points, but Mollie Ruholl knocked down a three-pointer to make it a three-point spread again, 58-55, with 26 seconds still remaining.
Robinson was able to run 20 seconds off the clock before Katelyn Jones was fouled. She made one of the two foul shots to secure the win and earn a berth in the Tolono (Unity) Super Sectional. The Lady Maroons, now 27-5, will face Peotone at 7 p.m. Monday.
“This was a back-and-forth game,” Thompson said. “We just ended up on the short end. We knew we’d have our hands full tonight. Robinson is a good team with very good shooters. But we were right there at the end.”
The Lady Shoes got off to a great start. Summer Wall opened the scoring with a three-pointer, followed by baskets from Mollie Ruholl and Chloe Probst to jump out to a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
The Lady Maroons closed to within one point, but Kelsey Niemerg scored nine points in the final four minutes, giving THS a 19-14 lead after the opening eight minutes.
Another three by Mollie Ruholl made it a six-point advantage before Robinson rallied. Marisa Zane hit a shot and Addyson O’Dell followed with a three and then another jumper to put the Lady Maroons on top, 23-22. Another bucket by Marissa Zane made it a four-point lead but a three by Chloe Probst cut it to one, 28-27, at intermission.
It remained close throughout the third period. It was tied twice and the lead changed hands twice. After a score by Isabelle Zerrusen, the Lady Shoes were within a point, but Marisa Zane hit a jumper and her twin sister Alexia converted a T-Town turnover into a bucket, giving Robinson a 42-37 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
“I’m very pleased with how our girls played,” Thompson noted. “They followed by the game plan and played a heckuva game.”
Marisa Zane led all scorers with 25 points, while Jones had 17 and O’Dell added 12. The Lady Maroons shot 44 percent for the game, making 21-of-48 attempts. They were 6-for-16 from behind the arc and 11-for-20 at the line.
Chloe Probst pumped in 20 points to lead the Lady Shoes. Niemerg was also in double figures with 11 and Mollie Ruholl scored 10. T-Town made 17-of-44 field goal attempts, a 39 percent clip. They were also 6-for-16 from long range and 15-for-22 at the foul line.
Thompson will say goodbye to two seniors – Isabelle Zerrusen and Summer Wall.
“They both played tremendous and did an excellent job all year,” Thompson said. “These two seniors did more for this team than they realize. They have been great role models, both on and off the floor.”
Teutopolis finished its season at 21-12.
“I’ve had fun coaching this team,” Thompson admitted. “I’ve enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the season. They’re coachable kids that do anything we ask. This has been a special group.”