Offensive woes plagued the Mendota Lady Trojans in a 53-11 loss to Ottawa Marquette in the home opener on Nov. 23 at the MHS gym.

Mendota scored just one point in the first quarter and trailed 18-1. Marquette took a 32-5 lead to intermission.

“We’re playing hard and I’m proud of that, we’re just turning it over way too much and not executing good enough on offense,” said Mendota coach John Hansen. “Our defense was a lot better than the score.”

Five Mendota players had two points apiece – Katie Jenner, Gracie Zinke, Isabella Tolentino, Naitzy Garcia and Karly Reel. Jenner and Garcia each had five rebounds, while Paige Manning swiped three steals.

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Mendota had its best game of the season when it opened Three Rivers Conference play against Bureau Valley, but the Lady Trojans still dropped a 44-38 overtime decision to the Storm on Nov. 29 at Manlius.

MHS fell behind 16-6 after the opening stanza, but fought back to within two (20-18) at halftime. The Lady Trojans were down by one (28-27) heading to the fourth quarter and they held a 36-33 lead with under 30 seconds to play before Bureau Valley tied it at the end of regulation. In overtime, Mendota managed only two points compared to eight for the Storm.

“Hands down, this is the best we’ve played,” said Hansen. “Ultimately, our inexperience got the best of us. We battled all night, we just need to keep learning and grinding.”

Hansen added that the team needs to shoot better from the free throw line, as it converted just seven of 20 attempts.

Reanna Brant paced Mendota (1-5, 0-1) with 14 points and she also grabbed eight rebounds, while Jenner contributed 12 points. Manning topped the club with 10 rebounds and three steals. Reel handed out three assists.