Newtown High School's girls' basketball team built a commanding lead and held off visiting Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport 46-39 on February 14.

It was a one-possession game late in the second quarter and the Nighthawks pulled ahead 23-16 at the half. A Cyleigh Wilson 3-pointer to open the scoring out of the break extended the lead to ten. Back to back Juliette Cryder baskets made it 30-16.

After halftime, the Nighthawks held Kolbe off the scoreboard until five-plus minutes into the third. Shea Murphy had a quick-response 3-pointer moments after the Cougars broke through, making it 33-18 with 2:36 to go in the frame.

Cryder's outside jumper made it 35-18. It was 38-24 Nighthawks after three quarters as Amy Sapenter hit a 3-pointer with eight seconds left, stopping a 6-0 Kolbe run.

The Cougars got to within single digits at 39-30 less than three minute into the fourth. Cryder cut to the rim and took a back-door pass from Carlie Smith to make it an 11-point lead and Smith canned a left side 3-pointer moments later for a 44-31 advantage with 3:45 left.

Kolbe pulled to within six at 44-38 with 1:05 to play and made it a five-point game with 27 seconds left before the Nighthawks finished things off.

Newtown closes out the regular season with a Tuesday, February 18 visit to New Fairfield at 7 pm. The Hawks will host a South-West Conference tournament quarterfinal-round game on Friday, February 21; game time is scheduled for 7 pm.