Trinity Tops WBB

HARTFORD, Conn. - The Trinity College women's basketball team won its second straight home game on Tuesday evening, topping visiting Mitchell College, 67-45, in non-conference action on Stan Ogrodnik Court inside Oosting Gymnasium.

With the win, the Bantams bounced back from a defeat last time out to improve to 4-6 on the year, while the Mariners suffered their fourth straight loss to fall to 1-8.

Mackenzie Griffin continued her dominant play for Trinity, registering a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Thrust into a starting role, Bianca Brenz scored 13 points to go along with a game-high four steals. Kaitlin Lewis provided a spark off the bench for the Bantams, scoring 10 points and pulling down five boards. After missing the early part of the season, Alexa Menard netted six points and a dished out a game-high six assists.

A pair of players led the way offensively for Mitchell as juniors Diamond Thomas and Amanda Garcia each poured in 10 points apiece. Garcia was a force in the post, grabbing a game-high 11 boards. Other contributors for the Mariners were sophomore Jessica Shepherd with nine points and senior Dazjavia Williams with seven points and nine rebounds.

The Mariners got off to a hot start, jumping out to an early 14-5 lead following a layup from Thomas five minutes into play. The Bantams responded with a 19-2 run capped by a trey from Lewis to grab a 24-16 lead with seven minutes remaining in the opening half. Throughout the remainder of the stanza, the Trinity defense clamped down and the offense knocked down shot after shot to build a 10-point lead heading into halftime.

In the second half, the hosts pulled away and stretch the lead to as many as 25 points.

The Bantams held a 40-37 advantage on the glass and did a good job distributing the ball with 20 assists on 27 field goals. Trinity forced 20 turnovers and its bench outscored the Mariners 22-5.

Mitchell will next take to the court on Saturday, January 10 for a conference showdown against Southern Vermont College. Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.