SPRING VALLEY – The Mendota Trojans returned to the hardwood after a two-week layoff and suffered a 59-24 setback to LaSalle-Peru in the first round of the Colmone Classic on Dec. 7 at Spring Valley.

The rust was evident for the Trojans as they connected on just eight of 40 shots from the floor.

L-P opened up a 19-3 lead after the opening quarter. Mendota was able to climb to within seven (21-14) with three minutes left in the first half, but the Cavaliers ended on an 8-0 run to assume a 29-14 advantage at intermission. The count was 45-19 after three periods.

Cale Strouss hit a pair of three-pointers and led Mendota with six points, while Krew Bond added four. Rafael Romero picked off 11 rebounds.

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Mendota broke into the win column for the first time this season with a 64-52 triumph over Fieldcrest on Dec. 8.

Bond exploded for 11 first-quarter points as the Trojans held a 21-16 margin after the first quarter. The Mendota lead was still five (35-30) at the break, and then the Trojans started pulling away in the third quarter. Bond heated up again and provided nine tallies in the stanza as the Trojans owned a 52-42 advantage with just one period left to play.

Bond finished with 25 points to pace the attack. Izaiah Nanez also hit double digits with 14 markers, while Isaac Guzman and Romero had seven points apiece.

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Marquette pulled away from Mendota in the fourth quarter to post a 66-47 win over the Trojans on Dec. 10.

Marquette led 17-13 after the first quarter and 27-19 at the break. The Trojans were still within striking distance heading to the fourth (43-34), but Stillman Valley erupted for 23 points in the final frame and the Trojans managed only 13.

Romero ripped the nets for 16 points to top the Mendota scoring chart. Bond knocked down three three-pointers on his way to a 14-point output, while Nanez provided six markers. Romero also led the Trojans with 12 rebounds.

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Mendota concluded tournament play with a 46-36 loss to Stillman Valley on Dec. 11.

The Trojans owned a 12-11 advantage after the first-quarter buzzer and then Stillman Valley pulled in front at halftime, 22-21. The seesaw affair went back in Mendota’s favor after three periods, 36-35, but then came a disastrous fourth frame for the Trojans. Mendota failed to score over the final eight-minute session while the Cardinals put up 11 points to win by double-digits.

Guzman dropped in three three-point field goals and finished with 11 points, followed by Bond with eight points and Romero with six. Romero gathered in 12 of Mendota’s 21 rebounds.

Mendota has a 1-5 record.