The host Immaculate High boys' basketball team overcame a solid effort from visiting Newtown to win their South-West Conference tournament semifinals contest 55-48 on March 3.

Jack Mulligan's 3-pointer in the waning seconds of the opening quarter helped the Nighthawks to an 18-13 lead heading to the second.

Newtown built a 26-16 lead but saw the Mustangs finish the half on a 14-2 run for a 30-28 edge at the break.

Todd Petersen and Tyson Mobley both hit 3-pointers in the third and Newtown seized a 38-36 lead. A Mobley pull-up jumper made it 40-36 Nighthawks, capping a 7-0 run with 3:13 left in the third.

The Mustangs answered with a 9-0 run, capped by a Sebastian Parenti 3-point play, to end the stanza. It was 45-40 Immaculate heading to the fourth.

Jack Kuligowski's fast-break bucket got the Hawks to within three to start the fourth-quarter scoring but that was as close as Newtown would get. Immaculate scored the next seven points to build a ten-point advantage.

Newtown didn't quit. Jack Petersen hit a straightaway 3-pointer with 2:10 left and Mobley banked home a shot from downtown, making the score 52-48 with 25 seconds to go. The Mustangs sealed the win with strong defense and enough made free throws.

Newtown forced a trio of steals in a 30-second span inside of the two minute mark but couldn't capitalize.

Immaculate advanced to face No. 2 Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport in the Thursday, March 5, championship game at neutral site Masuk of Monroe; tip at 7 pm.

Parenti led Immaculate with 15 points, and Joey Rios and Mike Iannetta both scored a dozen.

Petersen led all scorers with 17, Kuligowski scored eight, and Riley Ward, Jack Mulligan, and Mobley all contributed seven for Newtown.

"My kids came ready to play tonight. We played with a purpose, and we wanted to make it to Thursday. We didn't make the plays at the end and they did. Hats off to Nelson (Mingachos) and his staff," Newtown Coach Tim Tallcouch said.

"Now we've just got to be focused for the state tournament; part two begins," Tallcouch added.