Competing for one of the South-West Conference Tournament’s top spots, Newtown High School’s boys’ basketball team picked up a big win on the road, defeating New Milford 58-56 in overtime on February 14.

The Green Wave led 29-25 at the half. Newtown turned it on in the third quarter and outscored the Wave 21-15 in the period to take a 46-44 lead going into the fourth. New Milford was up two points late in the fourth and Newtown’s Declan Regan made two pressure free throws in the final minute to force OT tied at 52.

In overtime, Makai Coleman was a clutch 4-for-4 from the line and Regan had a huge layup to propel the Nighthawks to victory.

New Milford only has a few wins in conference play whereas Newtown is poised to host a first-round South-West Conference Tournament game, but the Green Wave gave the Hawks all they could handle at home once again. These teams went to overtime when the Wave hosted NHS two years ago, another contest the Hawks pulled out.

“It was their Senior Night. Their energy was through the roof,” said Newtown Coach Tim Tallcouch, adding that the Wave shot better than 50 percent from the floor. “Their coaches did a wonderful job preparing for us.

“What made me most proud of our players is even though we may have been off defensively tonight — giving up 56 points — we found a way to win. That’s how good teams win. They find a way to win even if they didn’t play their best,” said Tallcouch, whose Nighthawks have regularly held opponents in the low 40s this winter.

“It’s good to get a test — on the road especially,” Newtown’s coach added.

Coleman scored 22 points and had three assists; Regan compiled 17 points and 11 rebounds; Eli Williams had eight points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks; and Saahil Ray added nine points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

The Hawks were coming off a 49-36 setback at Bunnell of Stratford on February 9. Newtown hung close through halftime and trailed just 18-13 before the Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 22-8 in the third quarter to grab control.

Regan and Ray both scored ten points, Coleman had eight. Regan had seven of Newtown’s 20 rebounds, and Williams and Ray both had four rebounds. Connor Hintze and Coleman both had two steals and Ben Barber came away with a steal.

Tallcouch said his team struggled shooting the ball and in the turnover department. He said the Hawks appear headed to a rematch with Bunnell, this time in Newtown, with the SWC tourney around the corner. Newtown looks to have earned the No. 3 seed with Bunnell the No. 6 team, and Tallcouch is excited for his team to make some adjustments and improve for a chance at redemption in a possible rematch.

The Nighthawks are 13-6 overall and 9-3 in conference play. They close out the regular slate when a tough Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport lineup comes to town on Friday, February 17 for a 6 pm tip. Kolbe is the SWC’s No. 2 team behind only Notre Dame-Fairfield, the lone team to defeat Kolbe this winter.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.