Amber Ralston came through when Monticello needed her the most.

Ralston scored her team's final nine points to finish off a comeback that carried the Cougars past ninth-ranked Treynor 51-46 in a first-round Class 2A game.

It was the first state tournament victory for Monticello (23-3), which qualified for the first time last year and lost in the first round. The Panthers will play again in Thursday's semifinals at 2:30 p.m.

Treynor lost for just the second time in 25 games. The Cardinals' only other loss was to 3A tournament qualifier Sioux City Heelan.

Ralston finished with 15 points and five steals, while Terri Dirks added 11 points, 11 rebounds and four steals for Monticello. Melissa Bryant led Treynor with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Brenna Maguire scored 10 for the Cardinals.

Treynor led by was many as nine points in the first half and was up 41-37 early in the fourth quarter. Monticello tied it at 42 on Val Berner's baseline jumper and went ahead 44-42 when Ralston scored on a drive.

After Treynor's Morgan Vorthmann made a free throw, Ralston slipped behind the defense on an inbounds play, took Megan McLaughlin's cross-court pass and hit a layup to make it 46-43 with 1:18 left.

Ralston then hit five of six free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

Treynor had a lot of success early in getting the ball on the low block to Bryant, who made nine of 13 shots. Bryant scored 10 points in a 12-3 run that gave Treynor a 23-14 lead midway through the second quarter.

Monticello coach Donnie Kremer called a timeout and his team responded with nine straight points to get back in it. The Panthers then held Bryant to three baskets the rest of the way, none in the fourth quarter.

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