Archies powers by AC

For the past month, Archbishop Williams has operated at full steam ahead, and the results have followed.

Including last night, when the Bishops stepped on the gas late for their eighth consecutive win by defeating Arlington Catholic, 56-38, in Catholic Central League girls basketball action in Braintree.

“We have to keep running,” said Archies coach Matt Mahoney. “We can’t stop. Once we slow down, we’re not that good of a team.”

Archbishop Williams (122, 8-0) brought the intensity from the opening tip, especially on defense, to stifle Arlington Catholic (9-5, 5-5).

Trailing for most of the second half by double digits, Erin Donlan (16 points) gave the Cougars a chance with a layup early in the fourth quarter to cut into the deficit, 45-36. But the Bishops answered by going on an 11-0 tear to run away with things.

Mollie Manning got the spurt going with a jumper before Asiah Dingle (teamhigh 16 points) scored four straight points on two tough drives to the basket. Bridgette O’Reilly, who made her first start and scored 14 points, hit two free throws and then knocked down a dagger 3-pointer to give the Bishops a 56-36 lead.

Along with O’Reilly, Monica Spain (11 points, eight rebounds) gave the Bishops an added scoring threat.

The strong second half by the hosts started with a 7-0 run to begin the third quarter that built on a 26-21 halftime lead. Dingle then punctuated the stanza by hitting a double-clutch jumper just inside the arc at the buzzer to give the Bishops a 42-29 lead heading into the final frame.

In other girls hoop action last night:

Deanaja Dunbar-Lee had 17 points and eight assists to lead Brighton (5-8) to a 37-33 win over Burke in a Boston City League matchup.

Meg Hill had 12 points and 10 rebounds to lift Mansfield (13-3) to a 62-32 win over Hockomock League foe Taunton.

Keelah Dixon and Maddy Fay combined for 32 points as Braintree (12-2) earned a 74-60 win over Bay State Carey rival Needham. . . . In the Bay State Herget, Brenna McDonald had 32 points and 14 boards in a 58-47 win for Natick (9-5) over Norwood.

In the Middlesex League, Marissa Tatuso hit for 16 to reach 1,000 for her career, as Woburn (11-1) took a 66-25 win over Winchester.

Andover (15-1) routed Methuen 88-45 thanks to 23 points from Jillian Webber in a Merrimack Valley Conference contest.

Sofia Rosa’s 20 points powered Lincoln Sudbury (86) to a 49-41 win over Westford in Dual County Large action.

Boys basketball

In a nonleague contest, Craig Thomson struck for 34 points while grabbing 17 boards to lead Somerville (86) to an 85-52 win over South Boston.

Arlington Catholic (3-11) won a Catholic Conference matchup against Archbishop Williams, 64-50, thanks to 25 points from Spencer Sullivan.

Chris Camille had 25 points and seven rebounds to lead Brookline (10-4) to a 68-48 win over Weymouth in the Bay State Carey. ... Nick Timberlake and Anthony Peacock scored 20 points apiece to power Braintree (9-5) to a 67-58 win over Needham. . . . Jared Gordon-Anderson tallied 25 points, including 15 in the fourth, in a 71-63 win for Framingham (6-8) over Newton North.

Silver Lake (9-5) snuck by Quincy, 53-48, in a Patriot League showdown thanks to 14 points from Cam Keefe.

Dom Black posted 19 points and 14 rebounds to fuel Arlington (13-1) to a 78-66 win over Belmont in Middlesex League play. ... Joe McCarron’s 18 points led Winchester (9-5) to a 76-63 win over Woburn.