Another game, another lopsided triumph.

Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team arguably gives credence to the idea of a mercy rule like they have in baseball at some levels.

The Nighthawks defeated visiting New Milford 68-29 on January 31, marking the tenth time Newtown has beaten its opponent handily. In doing so, the Nighthawks improved to 15-2 overall and 9-1 in South-West Conference play heading into a February 6 visit to Masuk of Monroe at 7 pm.

“The big thing is getting a lot of reps for a lot of players and get in some good rest and working on things and refining things so we can get ready for the stretch run,” Newtown Coach Jeremy O’Connell said after his team used 15 players to piece together its triumph over New Milford.

Cailin Wilson and Nicki DaPra had 15 and 13 points, respectively, to lead the way. Carlie Smith scored eight, and ten players contributed between two and five points in a balanced scoring effort. Emma Magazu scored five points, Jackie Matthews had four points and three rebounds, and Sarah Nowacki had a couple of points to go along with three rebounds. Amy Sapenter had a pair of steals.

Masuk (7-10 overall and 4-6 in conference play) is among the teams battling for one of the last of the eight SWC playoff spots.

Newtown will visit Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport, at the Sheehan Center, on Friday, February 8 at 7 pm. Kolbe, at 16-1 overall and 9-1 in the SWC, stands to be Newtown’s toughest competition since its only in-state loss, to conference foe Notre Dame-Fairfield (16-1, 10-0) on January 18. New Fairfield (9-7, 5-5) visits for the season finale on Tuesday, February 12, at 7.

“They’re all going to be tough games. It’s only going to help us get ready for our goal,” O’Connell said.

That goal is to win an SWC championship. It remains to be seen how Newtown handles Kolbe, which, along with Notre Dame, may be among the teams that could end up being in Newtown’s way of hoisting the trophy.

“Them beating us obviously wasn’t good but we can learn from it. We know what we have to do better,” DaPra said.

“I think because of our experience and leadership we have, we’re not going to be fazed by anyone,” O’Connell added.