By George M. Wilcox
Yourseason.com
It was the kind of game where everyone seemed to contribute for No. 4 Trinity.
The Blazers owned the height advantage over No. 19 Loyola and led pretty much everywhere else on the court in a 51-29 rout Friday in the Suburban Holiday Showcase at Trinity, with the game never being close.
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Trinity did not score in the final quarter while missing all six of its shots.
Loyola scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, but the Ramblers (11-3, 3-1) had 17 points through three quarters. Trinity (11-1, 4-0) limited Loyola to one basket during an 11 12-minute span in the game which lasted the entire second quarter and portions of the first and third quarters. The teams played their third tournament game, but Fridays matchup counted as a GCAC Red contest.
DePaul-bound Megan Podkowa, a 6-foot-1 senior, led Trinity with 17 points and nine rebounds. But the eight points each from 6-0 starter Alyssa Dengler and 6-1 reserve Victoria Harris (seven rebounds) made a big difference.
All of Trinitys first eight players to enter the game scored.
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It felt really good, Harris said. I was able to help coming off the bench. I knew it would be a tough game either way. We were ready to get in there.
Loyolas tallest player, 6-0 freshman Sarah Elston, took two shots and didnt score.
The Ramblers had no other players to combat Trinity inside and had one of their worst shooting performances of the season from the outside. Loyola shot 5-of-37 through the first three quarters.
Trinitys quick at all positions, Loyola coach Jeremy Schoenecker said. Obviously, with Megan inside, she gets other players on the team open shots. You have to collapse on her. Give Trinity credit, they got open shots.
Trinity outrebounded the Ramblers 22-12 in the first half. Reserve Mary Katherine OMalley led Loyola with eight points, all in the second half. Anna Scheuler had all five of her points in the first half.
The Blazers led 17-11 early in the second quarter and then scored 12 consecutive points. Trinity ended the quarter with a 16-1 run to lead 33-12 at the half.
Loyola will play No. 18 Proviso East (12-2) at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Stevenson, followed by Trinity against No. 13 Niles West at 7:30 p.m.
On Dec. 28 at Loyola, Niles West plays the host Ramblers at 6 p.m. and the final game of the tournament features Trinity vs. Proviso East at 7:30 p.m.