In this season’s second meeting between Liberty and Bethlehem Catholic’s girls basketball teams, the Golden Hawks topped the Hurricanes once again, this time by a score of 52-45 on Jan. 22 at Bethlehem Catholic.

While their first contest was an 18-point victory for Becahi, Liberty coach Jarrett Carnes switched up the Dec. 6 starting lineup that was without Emma Pukszyn (injury). Also starting on Monday night was forward Julia Medaska and guard Anijan Davis.

The Hawks maintained a slight lead until Pukszyn’s 3-pointer at the start of the second quarter which tied the game, but Becahi forward Akasha Santos was just warming up for her 18-point game.

“I knew that no one could stop me underneath, so I made sure to keep taking it, keep taking it, and keep taking it until I couldn’t do it anymore. That’s when you see the three. I had to rely on my shot when they took away the post, so it was making sure my teammates see me in the right spots,” Santos said. “We had a great team win today.”

Liberty guard Ruby Miller, who also had an 18-point game, drained a 3-pointer before Davis dug out a low pass surrounded by two opponents and scored. Miller then added two points on an offensive rebound, and Pukszyn scored off a turnover from a soft Becahi pass to tie the game again, and Davis put the Hurricanes ahead, 29-27.

Santos tied the game soon after and back-to-back 3-pointers from Cici Hernandez and Santos stole Liberty’s lead.

“I think that was the turning point. That’s when out team’s energy went a level higher, and then it was, all right, we’re in this, we’re good,” Santos said.

Liberty pulled within two points in the fourth quarter thanks to Jordan Thompson’s six points, but Santos, Ella Bincarosky, and Aliyah Brame combined for six points to hold off the Hurricanes.

“A little bit, but I made sure that we knew to stick to our skills and our defense because when you’re good on defense, you’re communicating, and no one can stop you,” said Santos, regarding the concern of Liberty’s closing in on Becahi. “It feels good. A win is a win, and now we’re on to the next game.”