JEFFERSON — Three early 3-pointers and an emphasis on defensive intensity carried the South Hamilton girls’ basketball team to its first victory in more than a month here last night.

The Hawks led by 10 points after the first quarter and pushed the margin to 14 at halftime en route to a 29-20 victory over Heart of Iowa Conference rival Greene County.

South Hamilton (4-11, 3-7 HOIC) limited the Rams (0-15, 0-10 HOIC) to just one first-half field goal.

“I was happy with the way we played, especially defensively,” South Hamilton head coach Mark Henderson said. “I told the girls before the game that I wanted us to play pretty aggressively on the defensive end and we did that. They couldn’t get into their offense very well.”

Brookelyn George and Emma Lewis both scored eight points to lead the Hawks, who swept the season series from Greene County. Aneesa Balderas pitched in five points and Rylee Woodall added four.

Woodall, Lewis and Balderas all cashed in on first-quarter triples.

The Hawks found themselves in foul trouble in the second half, which allowed Greene County to creep back into contention. The Rams shot 20 free throws to just four for South Hamilton.

A trip to the north side of Des Moines to take on Saydel is on South Hamilton’s docket tonight. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

S. Hamilton 29, Greene County 20

Thursday at Jefferson

South Hamilton (4-11, 3-7 HOIC) — Rylee Woodall 1 1-2 4, Emma Lewis 3 0-0 8, Breanne Diersen 1 0-0 2, Brookelyn George 3 2-2 8, Aneesa Balderas 2 0-0 5, Hailey Diersen 1 0-0 2, Kaylee Oskvig 0 0-0 0, Sydney Friest 0 0-0 0, Caleigh Hewitt 0 0-0 0, Krista Swenson 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 3-4 29.

Greene County (0-15, 0-10 HOIC) — Brianna Habben 1 2-5 4, Izzy Bravard 0 6-10 6, Brianna Osterson 0 1-3 1, Lily Muir 1 0-0 2, Kassie Lamoureux 2 0-0 5, Bailey Cunningham 1 0-2 2, Sadie Wilson 0 0-1 0. Totals: 5 9-21 20.

S. Hamilton 15 6 5 3 — 29

Greene Cty 5 2 6 7 — 20

3-point field goals — SH 4 (Lewis 2, Woodall, Balderas); GC 1 (Lamoureux). Team fouls — SH 18, GC 11. Fouled out — SH: H. Diersen.