Trinity races past Resurrection

Trinity senior center Amanda Macchione believes her team doesn't get enough respect, but she won't be able to use that as motivation after the No. 17 Blazers blew out No. 6 Resurrection 69-48 in a GCAC Red opener Saturday night in River Forest.

With Macchione controlling the offensive boards and guards Monica Albano and Divinity Brown repeatedly beating the Bandits down the floor, Trinity (8-0, 1-0) was in control throughout.

''Not to sound arrogant, but we wanted this so bad because nobody gives us any credit,'' said Macchione, who had six points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals before leaving in the third quarter with a bloody nose. ''People say Trinity is nothing unless they can beat Proviso East and 'Res.' We love beating our rivals.''

Macchione had five offensive rebounds in the first quarter and Trinity had eight overall before Resurrection (5-2, 0-1) grabbed its first off the boards. The Blazers led 12-4 early and were up 20-9 at the end of the first quarter.

''I wanted the ball and I was going to do whatever I could to get it,'' Macchione said. ''I couldn't believe they didn't call fouls on me because that usually happens.''

Resurrection couldn't believe the speed Trinity displayed. Albano had 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals and Brown, a 4-10 freshman, scored a career-high 16 points, including a three-pointer from 25 feet that made it 51-30 in the third quarter.

''We beat a tremendous team and we've just got to get better,'' Trinity coach Ed Stritzel said. ''We're very happy with the win but I told the kids we have bigger goals.''

Shakyia Vassar added 11 points and Taricka Linzy 10 for Trinity, which lost forward Erica Cross to a knee injury in the first quarter.

Hannah Hartman scored 12 points for the Bandits, but DePaul-bound Deanna Ortiz was held to six points to go with seven rebounds and four assists.