If there was more success to be had with long-range looks at the basket, the outcome could have been a lot different for Newtown High School's boys' basketball team in a January 23 contest with visiting Bunnell of Stratford.

That's because, although the Nighthawks nailed seven 3-pointers to just two shots from downtown by the Bulldogs, Newtown missed on 19 of its 3-point tries and the visitors dominated in the paint, scoring 56 of their points from in close en route to a 67-50 triumph.

Bunnell's Maximus Edwards led the way with 21 points and had a monster all-around game with 20 rebounds and six assists. The Bulldogs limited Newtown to just 22 team rebounds.

"They came out and they played like they wanted it a little bit more tonight. I think we were a step slow to rotate," Newtown Coach Tim Tallcouch said. "They were focused and they just beat us up inside."

The Bulldogs claimed a 15-6 lead after one quarter of play and never looked back.

"I really felt like, for whatever reason, we did not mentally recover from that," Tallcouch said.

Down 27-13 midway through the second quarter, Tallcouch called timeout.

Out of the stoppage, the Nighthawks made consecutive 3-pointers, as Evan Eggleston hit one from the corner and Robert DiSibio drained a straightaway shot from downtown, to pull to within 11 with 2:36 to play in the quarter.

After a back-and-forth finish to the stanza, it was 31-21 at the half.

The Nighthawks were within 37-26 midway through the third before the Bulldogs pulled away, seizing a 46-31 advantage through three quarters of play.

DiSibio had 21 points, 15 of which came on a handful of 3-pointers, and blocked two shots; Todd Petersen had 13 points and ten rebounds; Eggleston compiled seven points, four assists, and four steals; and Riley Ward added five points.

Newtown did not have too many turnovers, losing possession only nine times. The Hawks limited Bunnell to nine free throw attempts (5-for-9), but got to the foul line for just two shots of their own (1-for-2).

The Nighthawks were coming off a hard-fought 52-50 overtime loss to Immaculate of Danbury, on January 19.

Petersen led Newtown with 19 points, highlighted by a late 3-pointer to force overtime. Eggleston had 14, Nick Weiland 11, and DiSibio six.

Eggleston had four 3-pointers, and DiSibio canned a pair from downtown. DiSibio had ten rebounds and Petersen pulled down seven.

The Nighthawks trailed 12-11 after one quarter of play, 24-17 at the half, and 29-25 heading to the third. The game was even at 43-43 through regulation.

"The boys played their hearts out, never quit. Super exciting high school game tonight. Both teams deserved the win, we just came up a little short today," Tallcouch said. "We were energized for 32 minutes. We were focused."

Newtown will visit Weston on Friday, January 26, travel to Torrington on Monday, January 29, and host New Fairfield on Tuesday, January 30; all three games tip off at 7 pm.