With a 58-54 win over Dacula, Newton boys basketball will advance to the elite eight for the first time since 2011.

Newton led 12-8 after the first quarter and led 27-24 at halftime. Dacula evened it up at 40-40 after the third quarter after Newton led 37-31 mid third.

“They hit some tough shots on us,” Rick Rasmussen, Rams’ head coach, said. “They have several great guards. We had a game plan and did a good job of executing it most of the game.”

Dacula at line was 23/34 and Newton was 18/27.

“They had to foul us late and we made enough free throws down the stretch,” Rasmussen said. “10/16 in fourth. When they took their only lead since first quarter at 42-20, we responded with a left corner three by JaNaud Notae to take back the lead. We led from then on.”

Newton will travel to play Wheeler next.