Bethlehem Catholic’s girls’ basketball team won its first game in three years against Cardinal O’Hara, 53-50, last Friday night at Becahi.

“It is a great start to the season,” said Becahi center Abby Brown.

The Hawks maintained the lead throughout the game, ahead by six to eight points at the end of the first three quarters. But when O’Hara tied the game, 46-46, with 3:42 remaining, it was a fight to the finish that had Becahi fans chanting “defense” the rest of the night.

O’Hara went ahead on a basket by Siobhan Boylan, but Julia Zambo scored for the Hawks to tie the game again.

The Hawks called a timeout at 1:10, drawing up a play to inbound the ball to Brown underneath.

“When we set up and I saw they weren’t there, I kind of got excited because I know it’s open every time, and I just prayed I didn’t miss it,” Brown said.

Not only did Brown score, but she was fouled on the shot and scored again.

“I kind of made a decision at halftime that I needed to pick it up. My first half was not my greatest half of basketball, and I really wanted to help my team,” said Brown. “My one goal is to help the team in whatever way I can, and this game, it was to make those key shots.”

Kerry Patterson brought O’Hara to within one point with :31 remaining. Soon after, Briana Barnard rebounded her own shot to take another, which went in, but the Hawks had already called a timeout so the basket did not count.

“In the heat of the moment, we called timeout and they gave it to us, so our girls rebounded well from that and we did a good job closing it out,” said Becahi coach Jose Medina.

Becahi guard Jaleesa Lanier, who had three threes and multiple steals in the game, sank two foul shots to seal the game for the Hawks.

“I’m so proud of this group, resilient all the way through,” said Medina. “One of the things this year is our strength in our numbers. Credit to Cardinal O’Hara, they fought back and took the lead, our girls didn’t fold, and they did a great job. We talked about trying to wear them down, and I think we did a good job of that.”

Becahi freshman Kourtney Wilson also made an impact on the game with 10 points.

“Collectively, we’re about to do some good things, I believe,” Medina said.