POPLAR GROVE – The Mendota Lady Trojans concluded the regular season like they began it – with a victory over North Boone. This time it was a 48-26 thrashing of the Vikings on March 3 at Poplar Grove.

Mendota closed out the regular season slate at 3-8 overall and 2-8 in Big Northern Conference play.

The Lady Trojans took control from the opening tip and owned an 18-4 lead after the first quarter. Daisy Arteaga did most of the damage in the initial stanza as she poured in 13 of the team’s 18 points, including the first 11 as Mendota sprinted out to an 11-0 lead. The senior connected on three shots from three-point range in the frame.

Mendota built its advantage to 20 points (31-11) at the half and carried a 41-17 cushion to the fourth frame.

“We had a nice game on defense that led to a lot of fast-break buckets,” said Mendota coach John Hansen. “Daisy had a huge game. It was a nice end to the regular season.”

Arteaga added 15 more points over the final three quarters and finished with 28. Izabella Nanez chipped in with nine tallies and nine rebounds, while Paige Manning led the board attack with 10 caroms. Arteaga and Jenna O’Donnell had three steals apiece, while O’Donnell, Nanez and Jaelyn Fitzgerald each had two assists.