NORMAL — All five Montini seniors played all 32 minutes of the Class 3A state semifinal game.
Their reward? They are playing for a state championship.
Led by a game-high 27 points from floor general Nikki Kerstein, the Broncos pulled away for a 50-41 win over Quincy Notre Dame in the last Class 3A semifinal on Thursday evening at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini (26-10) will face fellow GCAC team St. Ignatius, which defeated Washington 48-33 in the opening semifinal, on Saturday at 6 p.m. for the title. The Wolfpack (32-4) raced out to a 19-0 lead after the first quarter in their first ever state final appearance.
"It feels great," Kerstein said. "After getting booted out in the semifinals for two straight years, it's just a really great feeling."
Kerstein, who added eight rebounds, was with Deerfield two years ago and lost in the 3A semifinals. She then transferred to Montini and the Broncos fell in the semifinals last season before finishing third.
There is no third place this season as Kerstein scored eight points in the fourth quarter. Her two free throws gave Montini a 48-41 lead with 34.6 seconds to play.
"Notre Dame is a very tough team and I'm proud of our girls," Montini coach Shannon Spanos said. "Our defense is what won this game. Our spacing was off in the first half, but we talked and communicated in working to get people in position."
The Broncos started slowly, missing their first five shots, allowing the Raiders to jump out to leads of 4-0 and 8-3. Montini answered with eight straight points and took its first lead at 10-8 when Audrey Kinney scored on a layup at the 2:00 mark. After the first quarter, the score was 10-10.
Kerstein scored on a layup with just under a minute to play in the first half for an 18-17 lead. But Tristan Pieper (14 points, 9 rebounds) provided an answer on a layup of her own at the 40-second mark and Notre Dame went into the locker room with a 19-18 halftime lead.
Kerstein had eight points in a 12-2 third quarter run that helped the Broncos to a 32-31 lead after three.
This is Montini's 15th trip to the state finals and the 12th time the Broncos have won a trophy, all of which have come since 2008.
Notre Dame (32-4) is making its 14th state finals appearance and will take home its 13th trophy.
Montini's Peggy Pacelli and Sophie Maquet react after defeating Quiny Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Members of the Montini girls basketball team react after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Peggy Pacelli hugs teammate Sophie Maquet after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Lily Spanos sinks a late fourth-quarter free throw against Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini Catholic head girls basketball coach Shannon Spanos glances up at the score board late in the fourth quarter while playing Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Audrey Kinney lets go of a shot in the lane over Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Natalie Gartlan reacts in the final seconds after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Peyton Farrell lets go of a shot over Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini Catholic players support teammate Nikki Kerstein while at the free throw line against Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Natalie Gartlan reacts in the final seconds after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Natalie Gartlan hugs teammate Lauren Mellish after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini Catholic starting players (from left) Peyton Farrell, Lily Spanos, Natalie Gartlan, Audrey Kinney and Nikki Kerstein wave to their fans while walking off the court after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini players Lily Spanos, Peyton Farrell and Natalie Gartlan react after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Peyton Farrell reacts after defeating Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Natalie Gartlan looks to pass the ball around Quincy Notre Dame's Ava Price during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Nikki Kerstein lets go of a shot over Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini fans cheer on the Lady Broncos as they play Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Nikki Kerstein eyes the hoop while getting by Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Peyton Farrell lets go of a shot over Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Lily Spanos fakes out Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Members of the Montini girls basketball team are introduced during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Peyton Farrell shoots a jump shot over Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Audrey Kinney looses control of the ball in the lane as Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel defends during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Members of the Montini girls basketball team react with head coach Shannon Spanos while playing Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Nikki Kerstein lets go of a shot against Quincy Notre Dame during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Lily Spanos lets go of a shot over Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Montini's Peyton Farrell lets go of a jump shot over Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton during the Class 3A State semifinal game on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.