Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team combined strong defense and an ability to knock down long-range shots to earn a 49-30 triumph over visiting Bethel on January 11.

The Nighthawks made eight 3-pointers and held its opponent to 30 points for the third straight game. Newtown improved to 9-1 and defeated a Bethel squad it hasn’t beaten in a few seasons.

Carlie Smith led the way with 16 points, and had three of Newtown’s field goals from downtown.

Amy Sapenter knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and scored ten. Juliette Cryder, Nicki DaPra, and Shea Murphy (on a couple of 3-pinters) all scored six, Cyleigh Wilson had three, and Jackie Matthews added two for the Hawks.

DaPra grabbed 13 rebounds and had three assists. Wilson dished out five assists. Cryder and Smith each had five rebounds, and Smith came away with two steals. Sarah Nowacki had four rebounds.

Newtown led 10-9 after one quarter and 22-15 at the half. It was 31-23 at the end of three, with the Hawks getting all of their third-stanza points on a trio of 3-pointers. Newtown put the game away by outscoring the Wildcats 18-7 in the fourth.

The Hawks led by just five early in the fourth before going on a 9-0 run.

Read more about the game in the January 18 print edition of The Bee.