Rieniets carries Monticello past North Linn

TROY MILLS -- T.J. Rieniets scored 16 of his game-high 20 points in the second half as Monticello pulled away to defeat Class 1A 10th-ranked North Linn, 46-33, in a Tri-Rivers Conference boys' basketball game Tuesday night at North Linn High School.

Rieniets scored Monticello's first 14 points of the second half. The Panthers improved to 8-0 overall, 6-0 in the Tri-Rivers.

North Linn (8-1, 5-1) led 21-19 at halftime, but Rieniets took over after intermission. He scored three baskets inside and a pair of free throws for the first eight points of the third quarter as the Panthers took a 27-21 lead.

The Lynx got within 31-30 on Cody Johnson's basket with 6:40 to go, but Monticello concluded the game with a 15-3 run to run away.

Sawyer Herman and Chance Manternach added nine points apiece for Monticello.

Nick Aberle paced North Linn with 14 points.