NEW LONDON, Conn.--Mairead Hynes (Mahopac, N.Y.) exploded with 26 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Connecticut College women's basketball team to a 70-53 victory against Trinity College Thursday night.

Hynes was 11-for-20 from the field and 4-for-6 from the charity stripe. She added two blocks, one steal and one assist in the win.

Hynes was pleased with the win but was quick to deflect attention away from any stats or personal accomplishments.

"We just knew we had to come out and play together as a team," Hynes said. "You always want to give your team another chance to score whenever you can."

The Camels improve their record to 5-1 in the early season while the Bantams slip to 1-5 with the loss.

Sophomore Liz Malman (Mendham, N.J.) chipped in with 17 points for the Camels. Junior Amelia King (San Francisco, Calif.) contributed 12 points and six boards in the post, converting 6-of-9 shots from the floor.  Carlee Smith (Willimantic, Conn.) added nine points and seven assists for the winning side.

Trinity College junior center Mackenzie Griffin (Stamford, Conn.) poured in a team-high 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals in the setback. Sophomore Sheena Landy (Durham, Conn.) registered a double-double for the Bantams with 11 points and 11 rebounds.  Emily Llerena (New Milford, Conn.) finished with six points and seven rebounds in the game.

Griffin converted a field goal in the paint with 11:09 remaining in the first half to vault the visitors out to a 15-10 advantage. But the Camels countered with a furious 20-to-3 run to open up a 12 point lead. Hynes went on her own personal 8-to-0 run during this stretch. Smith closed out the run when she dialed up a three from the left side with 4:27 remaining to put the hosts on top and in command with a 30-18 advantage.

But the Bantams responded with a run of their own at the end of the half, out-scoring the Camels 11-to-2 over the closing 4:02 of the first stanza. Christina Raiti (Plainview, N.Y.) closed out the half with a trey for the visitors with just four seconds left and the Camels carried a 32-29 lead into the break.

In the second stanza, the Camels continued to pound the ball down into the paint. Kaitlyn Cresencia (New Providence, N.J.) assisted Hynes for a field goal with 5:43 remaining that vaulted the Camels out to a 55-45 advantage. On the ensuing possession, Hynes hauled in a rebound that sparked the Camels transition game that led to an easy hoop for Malman.

Malman carried the hot hand in the second half and closed out the victory with a three from the left side in the final minute of regulation.

Connecticut College enjoyed a 46-to-40 advantage on the backboards and shot 73% (16-for-22) from the charity stripe.