NATCHEZ — When Centreville Academy’s Renee Miley hit a free throw with 1:34 left in the first quarter against Trinity Episcopal Monday, an enormous obstacle had finally been overcome: The Lady Tigers scored a point.

By that time, however, there was little doubt as to the eventual outcome of the game, as the Trinity varsity girls rolled to a 58-23 blowout against rival Centreville Academy.

The Lady Saints came out with a stifling defense and fast-paced offense to open the game, which allowed them to reach a 21-0 lead before Miley sank the free throw.

“The important thing about getting out to that big a lead is, we did it doing what we do — running the press and creating turnovers,” Trinity girls head coach Richy Spears said.

Prior to Miley’s free throw, the Lady Saints had not committed one foul in their 21-0 run to start the game.

“We did it without fouling, and that was big,” said Spears. “In past games, we’d press, but we’d get into foul trouble. Tonight, we did it the right way.”

Bethany Ogden got things started for Trinity, sinking a 3-point basket in the opening minutes of the game. She followed it up with a free throw at the 6:38 mark in the first.

Trinity’s Madeline Cross then hit a layup with 6:04 left. A minute later, Brandis White sank a 2-pointer.

Five free throws and four 2-point baskets later, Centreville was staring at a deficit that proved to be too much for the Lady Saints to overcome.

“They were playing zone, and all we’ve seen in the last much has been zone pretty much,” Spears said. “Hopefully this means they’ve started seeing (how to attack) that stuff.”

Trinity led 37-11 at the half and 47-19 at the end of three. It was led in scoring by Ogden, who finished with 22 points on the night. White and Cross each added 14 points.

Centreville’s Katie Berry had 10 points for the Lady Tigers.

If there was any disappointment from Trinity Episcopal fans when they watched their varsity girls play Monday night, it was that it took so long to get ahead by 35 points.

The 35-point “mercy rule” in MAIS prep basketball means the clock runs continuously after the threshold is met. Trinity was unable to get that big of a lead until two minutes into the fourth quarter.

“I don’t ever worry about that,” Spears said. “We just go out there and play.”

If there’s one thing Spears would like his team to improve on, it’s making baskets underneath the goal, which Trinity struggled with some in the second half.

“That’s been killing us the last few games. They looked like that all Friday night (against Tallulah Academy). We can’t be missing those if we want to continue doing well going into February.”

Trinity rose to 16-6 overall, 4-1 in district play.

Trinity boys 81, Centreville 73, OT

Down three at the end of regulation, the Saints came back to tie it 68-68 to send it into overtime against the Tigers Monday.

Trinity outscored Centreville 13-5 in overtime in order to improve to 12-5 on the season, 6-0 in district play.

R.J. Fleming had 22 points for Trinity. Jordan Dossett added 16 points and Kent King and Givonni Dent each finished with 15 points.

Centreville’s Jamie Dezendorf led the Tigers with 38 points. Colby Lockwood scored 16 points.

The Trinity boys and girls will host Tensas Academy today at 4 p.m.