A big third quarter for Bethlehem Catholic’s girls’ basketball team led to a 52-45 victory over Central Bucks West in a nonconference game on Saturday at Bethlehem Catholic High School.

“We get six out-of-conference games a year ... it really gets us ready for playoffs and state competition,” said Becahi coach Jose Medina. “This was our third game in a row, which is unprecedented, but we’ve got a deep bench, and the girls have great resolve.”

The Hawks were down 11-3 but chipped away at the Bucks’ lead which included five threes between CBW’s Maddie Burke and Kaili Carey in the first quarter.

“[Burke] is a great player, but once we realized that and kept out on her shots, it was a lot better, and we kind of shut her down a little bit,” said Becahi senior Hope Brown, who made an interception between two Bucks players on an inbounds play, scored on a layup, and was fouled.

“Right before that inbounds play [Coach Medina] let me know [Izzy Treon] was going to get it, so I knew they were going in that area, and when they threw it up, I just ran for the ball,” Brown said. “I like to play every possession like that, try and be the first to the ball.”

Two important plays in the second quarter came from the Hawks’ bench. Julia Zambo scored from underneath, and on the next play, Jaleesa Lanier had a steal and a layup to give the Hawks their first lead of the game.

“[Jaleesa] does a great job. She’s a game changer. She had a steal and a layup today. Solei [Rodriguez] had one yesterday. We have some dynamic, quick guards that can change the game defensively, and Briana Barnard in there and Julia Zambo do a great job changing the complexion of the game,” said Medina.

Offensively, the Hawks’ third quarter was all Brown and Taliyah Medina, who scored a three to end the third and another three at the beginning of the fourth, prompting a “Funky Cold Medina” from Becahi’s P.A. announcer.

“We like to prove ourselves outside of our conference, especially with big 6A teams like this,” said Brown.

Taliyah Medina, who had 25 points, was unavailable at the end of the game after being fouled and taking a fall late in the fourth quarter.

Brown had 12 points for the Hawks, Natalie Rhine scored five, Lanier and Abby Brown had three apiece, and Zambo and Morgan Orloski scored two points each.