For the first 31-plus minutes, Newtown High School’s girls’ basketball team was playing from behind. But it’s the final score that counts, and Haley Ryan’s go-ahead 3-pointer with just 26 seconds left stood up as the host Nighthawks shocked the Hillhouse Academics 48-45 in the consolation game of the Threes For Charity Tournament on December 20.

Ryan drained a shot from downtown for Newtown’s first lead, 46-45, and the Hawks hung on to improve to 3-1 this winter. The Academics, who led 22-6 after one quarter of play but saw a scrappy Nighthawk squad climb back, fell to 2-2.

Newtown lost to Cromwell and Hillhouse fell to Pomperaug of Southbury in tourney openers the night before.

After a tough start, the Nighthawks fought to within 30-19 at halftime, hung around in the third quarter, showed grit and determination, and also capitalized on Hillhouse’s foul shooting woes to complete the comeback.

The Academics were 0-for-11 from the free throw line in the final quarter, and 2-for-16 in the second half as part of an overall 7-for-21 performance. Newtown, meanwhile, had some free throw shooting struggles of its own, but capitalized more often with a 12-for-22 effort.

The Nighthawks missed some layups and open looks throughout the first three quarters, but continued to battle.

“Our kids believed in each other, believed in our system – and fought, and fought, and fought,” Newtown Coach Jeremy O’Connell said.

Mali Klorczyk had 17 points, nine rebounds, six steals, two assists, and a pair of blocks. Ryan scored 11 points. Sarah Lynch had three steals, three assists, and seven rebounds.

O’Connell said the Threes For Charity Tournament was started after 12/14 with the objective of the Hawks donating $3 for every 3-pointer the Nighthawks made to a worthy cause. It was recently decided that money raised by the team will go toward an outdoor memorial basketball court at Newtown High. The Nighthawks plan to contribute money for each shot they make from downtown not only from the tourney, but also throughout the season. Newtown hit four 3-pointers in the consolation game. Other teams – those that participate in the tourney as well as those that do not – may also contribute, O’Connell said.

For more highlights from the game, check out the December 26 print edition of The Bee.