Mater Dei eases past Quincy Notre Dame, will play for Class 2A state championship

Mater Dei is headed to the IHSA Class 2A state championship game.

The Knights downed state champion Quincy Notre Dame 61-54 on Thursday afternoon in the state semifinals at CEFCU Arena (formerly Redbird Arena) on the campus of Illinois State University.

Mater Dei now advances to the state championship game at 12:45 p.m. Saturday and will face Byron (33-3), which defeated Chicago Noble/Butler in the other semifinal Thursday.

The Knights — who had lost to the Raiders 44-32 earlier this season — improved to 26-7. Alyssa Koerkenmeier led the Mater Dei attack Thursday with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Amelia Beer posted 19 points and Avery Trame added 12 points.

University of Missouri recruit Abby Schreacke led Quincy Notre Dame with 22 points. The Raiders finished the season 33-2.

The Knights led 12-10 after one quarter and 29-23 at halftime. Mater Dei built the lead to 13 points and ultimately led 41-29 heading into the fourth quarter. Quincy Notre Dame drew within 46-40 with 4 minutes left, but the Knights hung tough down the stretch and are now playing for a state crown.

“Overall I’m very, very happy and pleased with the progress that we’ve made throughout this season,” Mater Dei coach Craig Zurliene said earlier this week. “Our strength of schedule has been nothing short of phenomenal for our girls for reaching and hopefully maintaining our potential.”