ROCHELLE — Junior guard Van Gerber created separation and knocked down a stepback 3-pointer in the fourth quarter as the Rochelle Hubs continued to increase their lead during their nonconference varsity basketball matchup against Plano at RTHS on Monday evening.

The tough triple capped off a 14-point performance for Gerber, who returned from a two-game absence and helped the Hubs turn in one of their best offensive showings of the season. Rochelle drilled 13 3-point shots and controlled the game with its motion offense and fast tempo, running away from the Reapers for a 94-78 victory. Gerber was one of five players to finish in double figures for the Hubs (8-16, 1-5 Interstate 8), who face Kaneland on the road Tuesday.

“When we have five guys in double digits, we’re always winning games,” said Gerber, who’s in his second season with the varsity team. “It’s not about being a one-man team… I feel like I’m not as weak with the ball. I’m stronger with the ball and I can shoot the ball a little better.”

Although Rochelle has struggled at times from 3-point range this season, the Hubs found their rhythm early on Monday, when the team drilled triples on three straight possessions in the first quarter to maintain a 22-19 lead over the Reapers. Rochelle kicked its offense into high gear during the second quarter, where freshman guard Cohen Haedt buried a pair of long triples and sophomore forward Brody Bruns dominated down low with four field goals around the rim.

“I felt like we were able to push the ball really well,” Gerber said. “We were able to find our open teammates and that helped us get open shots. We made our shots and we were getting the ball down low. Our post players were making most of their bunnies and that helped us win tonight.”

With Haedt handling the ball and Bruns leading the scoring charge down low, Rochelle rallied off 30 second-quarter points and capitalized on Plano turnovers to build a 52-39 halftime lead. The 6-foot-5 forward Bruns proved to be a handful against an inferior Reaper frontcourt, posting a team-high 22 points and 13 rebounds. Haedt added 11 points for the Hubs, whose consistency from range stayed true in the third quarter, where Rochelle buried three more 3-point shots.

“It’s a big confidence booster, especially with Kaneland and Morris coming up,” Gerber said. “I think that we can build off of that… When the whole team is scoring, we’re always winning.”

Despite a solid effort from Alan Contreras, who led the Reapers with 22 points on Monday, Plano fell even further behind during the third quarter, where turnovers and an inability to close out defensive possessions with rebounds helped the Hubs build a 75-56 lead. On the other end, Rochelle continued to run its motion offense, which created open shots from range as well as driving lanes for players like Gerber, who finished a trio of 2-point baskets around the rim.

The Hubs didn’t slow down in the fourth quarter, where senior guard Carson Lewis put home a pair of triples off the bench to finish with 17 points and five made 3-pointers. Monday’s win was the highest scoring outing of the season for the Hubs, who had 10 different players finish with at least one point. Senior guard Elijah Harley, who drained three triples against the Reapers, wrapped up a 14-point effort with a pair of free throws late in the fourth quarter.

Junior forward Brode Metzger totaled six points and sophomore forward Warren Schweitzer added five points for the Hubs, who have won two of their last three games. Senior guard Jack Tilton and junior guard Markell Pogue each chipped in two points on Monday evening.