A first-quarter blitz by Chillicothe IVC put the Mendota Trojans in a deep hole that kept getting deeper in a 70-31 setback to the Grey Ghosts in NCIC Lincoln action on Jan. 29 at Chillicothe.

The Trojans (4-17, 1-7) scored only five first-quarter points compared to 22 for IVC, and things didn’t get any better over the final three frames. MHS found itself down 41-16 at halftime and 53-22 at the end of three periods.

Vince Bruno was a bright spot for the Trojans with 18 points. He hit four field goals from three-point land. Grant Saylor paced the squad with five rebounds and Will McLachlan had five assists.

Mendota, which shot only 33 percent from the floor, was outrebounded 31-13. The Trojans committed 12 turnovers and IVC had seven.