NEW MILFORD — The Newtown High School girls’ basketball team defeated host New Milford High School 52-45 in a rescheduled contest on January 8. The Nighthawks hit a dozen 3-pointers and worked hard on defense to pick up their fourth win in five games.

Izzy Caron hit six three pointers; Bridget McCleary hit three from behind the arc; Bella Gerace had two, and Chloe O’Connell had one as 36 of the Nighthawks’ 52 points came from beyond the 3-point line.

Caron led all scorers with 24 points, McCleary had 13, Gerace had six points, Jenna Lagan also had six points and racked up seven rebounds, O’Connell had three, and Kristen Reisert had two along with grabbing six rebounds.

Lagan stepped up and played well defensively as well as Gerace who had three steals. Newtown was down three key contributors due to coronavirus protocol and injuries, and this was an "excellent grind-out win," Coach Jeremy O'Connell said.

Newtown was down by two at the end of the first quarter. After a very close second quarter a three pointer just before the half by Gerace gave Newtown a 22-20 lead. High-intensity defense and making 3-pointers down the stretch gave the Nighthawks the momentum they needed to pull away against the Green Wave.

The Hawks improved to 4-2 overall before losing 44-33 at New Fairfield on January 10.

"New Fairfield is extremely well-coached. We had a tremendous second half, but the hole we dug for ourselves in the first half was too much to overcome. Hoping to get some kids back this week," O'Connell said.

NHS defeated Brookfield at home on January 13 and will host Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport set for Saturday, January 15 at 2 pm. Read about these games in the January 21 print edition and online.