Hartford, Conn. - Freshman Michelle Royals (Torrington, Conn.) and junior co-captain Claire Arnstein (Hicksville, N.Y.) combined for 36 points to lead the Trinity College Bantams to a 74-46 win over the Saint Joseph College Blue Jays in women's basketball action this evening at the O'Connell Center.  Trinity improves to 10-0, while the Blue Jays drop to 2-9 on the season. 

The Bantams defense was strong from start to finish, allowing just 45 shots in the game, including just 27 shots in the paint.  Trinity, which had the eighth best scoring defense in the nation before the match allowing just 49.1 points a game, brought down their average to 48.8 with tonight's performance.

The offense was just as convincing, posting 43 points in the first half, and putting 31 more on the scoreboard by the final whistle.  Arnstein finished with 17 points on 7-10 shooting, including 3-4 from the three-point line, adding eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while committing just one turnover.  Freshman Kaitlin Ciarlegio (Waterbury, Conn.) scored five points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out six assists, and made two steals for the Bantams.

Sophomore Nathalie Mastarreno (Glastonbury, Conn.) had a big game for the Blue Jays, scoring 20 points on 50 percent shooting, including four three-pointers.  She also added five rebounds and five assists.  Sophomore Ilaria Schiano (Wallingford, Conn.) chipped in with 11 points for Saint Joseph.     

Trinity will travel to Boston, Mass. to defend its perfect record this Saturday, January 10, for a 1 p.m. meeting with Simmons College.

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