MENDOTA — Trojan guard Amelia Bromenschenkel showed why she earned All-State Honorable Mention from the Associated Press this past season when the Rochelle Lady Hubs faced Mendota in nonconference play Saturday afternoon.

Bromenschenkel dominated the first half, beating Rochelle defenders off the dribble to score on multiple layups and mid-range shots. The Mendota standout had 26 points at halftime, and she finished with a game-high 41 points as the Trojans defeated the Lady Hubs 64-45. Rochelle (3-15) suffered its sixth consecutive loss with the defeat.

“She’s so darn athletic,” head coach Tony Rowan said. “She was able to score in a lot of different ways, whether it was from attacking the basket, stepping back or posting up down low. Our plan was to try and get the ball out of her hands, but she caught fire in the first half.”

While Bromenschenkel was a one-woman wrecking crew for the Trojans, Rochelle guard Josie Lundquist was nearly as impressive in the first quarter, canning three shots including two jumpers from the right elbow for eight points to help the Lady Hubs keep pace with Mendota 16-16 entering the second quarter. Lundquist totaled 14 of her team-leading 15 points in the first half, but Bromenschenkel took over the second quarter with 15 points of her own.

“Josie was sprinting to all of her spots whether she had the ball or not,” Rowan said. “She was able to move and flow well throughout the first half. We collectively got a little tired in the second half and we were standing around too much, which made it easier for them to guard us. But Josie prepped her feet well and moved well in the first half.”

Mendota led 35-27 at halftime, with Bromenschenkel nearly outscoring the Lady Hubs by herself. Rochelle sent numerous double-teams her way in the second half, which quieted her down in the third quarter, where she totaled only three points. But the talented guard’s playmaking abilities came out, and her ability to win off the dribble allowed Mendota’s supporting players to convert easy layups and perimeter shots.

“We did a better job of double teaming her high up top in the second half,” Rowan said. “We compared her to James Harden because we knew that the least amount of time she had the ball up top, the better things would be for us.”

The Trojans grew their lead to 44-32 after three quarters before Bromenschenkel’s 12-point fourth quarter ultimately sealed Mendota’s victory. Sofia Lenkaitis and Abby Luxton each finished with nine points for the Lady Hubs, while Lucy Bunger and Sam House combined for eight points in the game.