ROCK FALLS – Mendota and Rock Falls played a tight first half before the Rockets pulled away in the second half to notch a 70-54 victory over the Trojans in a varsity boys’ basketball non-conference battle on Dec. 21 at Rock Falls.

Gavin Sands had the hot hand for Rock Falls to start the contest as he poured in 10 of his team’s 14 first-quarter points. The Rockets held a 14-11 lead heading to the second period, where the Trojans outscored the home team by three to even things up at intermission, 28-28. Cale Strouss ripped the net for 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers, to help Mendota forge the tie.

The tide turned in the third quarter as the Rockets exploded for 26 points compared to 15 for Mendota, to take a 54-43 advantage. Rock Falls nailed four shots from three-point land in the frame. Mendota’s Aden Tillman kept things from getting too far out of hand with three trifectas in the period.

The Trojans connected on just four field goals in the final frame as they were unable to make up the deficit.

Strouss and Tillman paced the Trojans (5-7) with 15 points apiece, while Izaiah Nanez provided nine markers and Braiden Freeman added seven tallies.

Sands topped three Rock Falls players in double digits with 18 points.