High-scoring Emma Roberson netted 30 as the fifth-ranked Cougar girls’ basketball team edged No. 8 Archbishop Williams, 63-59, in Arlington Friday, Feb. 3. 

Arlington Catholic improved to 14-1. Roberson was honored before the game for scoring her 1,000th career point Jan. 30 at St. Mary’s.

Also winners were the AC boys (11-2), as they beat A-B (6-8), 82-65, Feb. 3.

Arlington High School girls, now 7-8, topped Belmont (4-12), 49-41, on Feb. 3.

Spy Ponder boys fell to 6-9 as they lost, 77-66, at Belmont (8-7).

Of Roberson, the Feb. 4 Boston Globe quoted Cougar coach Dave Brady: "There’s something magical about her. Ice in her veins, that last-minute three was magical."

Archbishop Williams tied the score at 57 with 2:41 left and were within a possession of victory with nine seconds left.

Down, 61-59, the Bishops turned the ball over at the top of the key and were forced to foul Roberson.

"We thought they were going to go with a penetration play," Brady said. "So we wanted to keep them well beyond the 3-point line."

Both teams came out in a full-court press, but Archbishop Williams pushed the tempo for easy baskets. The Bishops pressed throughout the half, forcing the Cougars into uncharacteristic turnovers.

AC slowed the pace and broke the press with crisp passing, allowing it chances in the set offense, where the Cougars controlled the boards and took advantage of second-chance baskets.

"They’re a dynamite team," The Globe quoted Brady. "I think it was good for us, we don’t see the press a lot."

The Cougars had 13 points from the charity stripe in the first half, giving them a 37-34 halftime lead.

"[Getting to the line is] something we've emphasized," Brady told The Globe.

Junior Sara Ryan led the Bishops with 16 points.

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