Madison — The free throw line. Of course, the New London High School girls' basketball team won this game from the free throw line.

The Whalers, who endured an 11-for-25 night from the foul line, were 4-for-4 when it mattered most Monday night in the semifinals of the Class LL state tournament against Wilbur Cross.

Two free throws by freshman Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick with 22.8 seconds remaining were followed by two from Jayden Burns with 1.3 seconds to play as No. 2 New London came from behind to win a gut-busting tug-of-war with No. 11 Wilbur Cross 51-47, resulting in a flood of joyful tears in the gymnasium at Polson Middle School.

"I got nothing," said drained New London coach Holly Misto. "I don't have any words right now."

For New London, the chance to make history — playing for the Class LL championship this weekend at Mohegan Sun Arena — didn't come without more than a few blips, including several instances of misery at the free throw line.

Aside from that, senior captains Xaryia Melendez and Spencer Roman fouled out, resulting in freshman Natalyah Williams — never in a situation of such signiicance before in her career — finding her way on the floor for the final moments.

New London (25-2), bidding to win its third state championship in six seasons, advanced to the final on Saturday or Sunday at Mohegan Sun to meet No. 1 Norwalk, which defeated No. 4 Hamden 62-54 Monday.

Norwalk edged New London 49-47 in a regular-season game Jan. 26 at New London. Norwalk is ranked first and New London second in the GameTimeCT Top 10 poll.

"I had my seniors. They got fouled out," Bland-Fitzpatrick said in the midst of bedlam as the Whalers celebrated. "I thought, 'We have to win this for them.'

"I was taking my time at the free throw line. I closed my eyes before I shot. I said, 'This is for you Tai (Pagan), X, Spencer and Da'Jah (Uzzle). I was never going to miss that shot. ... I'm anxious and excited. We deserve it for all the work we did. We came too far to lose."

New London trailed 47-43 on an easy layup by Kayla Jefferson of Wilbur Cross with about two minutes to play.

Burns sprinted right down the floor for New London and drew a foul, though, pulling the Whalers within 47-45 and Pagan scored with 56 seconds remaining to even the score at 47.

Wilbur Cross was then called for a travel, with Misto leaping up and down signaling the call.

With 22.8 seconds remaining, Pagan missed a shot but pulled down the offensive rebound. A jump ball remained with New London and Misto called a timeout. The play out of the timeout resulted in Bland-Fitzpatrick being fouled by Dejah Middletown of Wilbur Cross.

Bland-Fitzpatrick's free throws gave New London a 49-47 lead.

Wilbur Cross called a timeout with 19.4 seconds remaining, but missed a pair of shots, with Pagan getting the offensive rebound off the second with 4.3 seconds to play. She shoveled it to Burns, who was fouled, igniting the Whalers' jubilation.

Pagan finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for New London, which led 28-24 at halftime. Burns had 12 points and three assists and Melendez 11 points and eight rebounds.

Jefferson scored 15 points for Wilbur Cross (20-7).

The score was tied 39-39 after three quarters.

v.fulkerson@theday.com