Fairfield Prep Wins Overtime Thriller, Heads Back to Mohegan Sun for Title Game

The Fairfield Prep basketball team is heading to its third straight state championship game, and fourth in the last five years, following a thrilling 59-57 overtime victory over fifth-seeded Hillhouse in the Class LL semifinals Tuesday night in Shelton.

The top-seeded Jesuits (24-2) will face No. 2 Westhill at the Mohegan Sun Arena Saturday night at 8:15 p.m.

Junior Rich Kelly scored a game-high 17 points and came through in the clutch, hitting all six of his free throws in overtime. He connected on 14-of-17 free throws overall.

Senior Tommy Nolan finished with 13 points, despite fouling out with 2 minutes, 29 seconds remaining in regulation.

After he fouled out, Nolan had an important message for Kelly, telling Joe Morelli of GameTimeCT.com/New Haven Register he said the following:

“When I fouled out, I went to Richie and said, ‘I lost at (the) Mohegan (Sun Arena) twice. Don’t let me and our other seniors end our careers like this.’”

The Jesuits have lost their last three title games (in 2011, 2013 and 2014) but Nolan and the seniors will have one more chance at victory Saturday night.

Read more at GameTimeCT.com here.