The TMP Lady Monarchs rallied from down two in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter+ Thursday on their way to a 48-46 win over the Goodland Cowgirls in 34A
Norton sub-state semifinals.
With the Monarchs trailing 5-4 to open the game TMP’s Kyleigh Allen scored back-to-back field goals giving TMP an 8-5 lead. They led at the end of the first quarter 8-7.
Just like in the first quarter, TMP’s Emilee Lane scored four straight sparking a 10-2 run to put the Monarchs up 18-9. The Monarchs briefly led by nine before Goodland closed the gap to four at 22-18 lead late in the second quarter.
TMP’s Sophia Balthazor and Jaci VonLintel answered with back-to-back three pointers to close out the first half with the Monarchs lead by 10 at 28-18.
Goodland opened the second half on a 9-0 run to close within one before VonLintel scored seven straight for TMP to give the Monarchs a 35-27 lead. They led 37-31 through three quarters.
In the fourth quarter Goodland outscored TMP 10-2 to take a 41-39 lead.
With just under four minutes to play Allen converted on a pair of free throws to tie the game at 41. She added two more free throws on the next possession to break the tied and put TMP up for good at 43-41.
With TMP leading 48-46 Goodland missed a jump shot at the buzzer that would have sent the game to overtime as TMP secured the 48-46 win.
Kyleigh Allen scored a game-high 15 points and Jaci VonLintel added 12 points.
The Monarchs will take on No. 2 Phillipsburg after they beat Norton 49-36.
The championship game is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. in Norton.