Miller scores 31; Lynx go to 10-0

CEDAR RAPIDS -- One of these days, somebody's going to catch on.

Somebody's going to see Nicole Miller play, and discover this diamond in the rough.

Miller scored 31 points, including a 15-point, 3 1/2-minute burst of brilliance to start the second half, as Class 2A seventh-ranked North Linn ran away from Anamosa, 56-25, as part of Rivalry Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

"I didn't shoot that well (Friday against Springville), but my teammates gave me the ball and I was able to put it in," said Miller, a junior guard.

The Lynx improved to 10-0, blowing it open after settling for a 7-7 stalemate after the first quarter.

"If we play like we did in the second half today, I think we can compete against just about anyone," Miller said.

Miller has scored a lot of points (26.0 per game) this season, but the college offers haven't been pouring in. Not yet.

"Hopefully it will start picking up," said Lynx Coach Brian Wheatley. "Somebody's going to get a steal in her.

"Miller hit 11 of 21 shots (3 of 6 from long range) and 6 of 9 free throws, dished out four assists and collected five steals.

She was at her best after coming out of the locker room at halftime. She hit a shot from the elbow, drained a couple free throws, hit a couple 3-pointers, scored in transition, then converted from long range again.

All in 3 minutes, 25 seconds. That turned a 22-12 lead into a 37-12 runaway.

North Linn added a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to make it 53-16 and force a continuous clock.

Libby Falconer added 10 points, Maddie Boer tallied six.

Madison Smith, Tawny Menster and Sydney Pratt scored five apiece for Anamosa (3-7).

NORTH LINN 56, ANAMOSA 25

At U.S. Cellular Center

ANAMOSA (25): Madison Smith 2-12 0-0 5, Sydeny Wolfe 0-2 0-0 0, Mallory Wagner 0-5 1-3 1, Karli Oltmanns 0-11 2-2 2, Katie Schwaegler 0-4 1-2 1, Tawny Menster 2-5 1-2 5, Sydney Pratt 2-3 0-0 5, Madison Decker 0-1 0-0 0, Meagan Norton 1-2 0-0 2, Riley Hinz 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 9-48 5-9 25.

NORTH LINN (56): Maddie Boer 3-4 0-0 6, Nicole Miller 11-21 6-9 31, Brooke Dobney 1-1 0-0 3, Morgan Boer 0-4 0-0 0, Libby Falconer 3-7 4-4 10, Kayla Carrothers 0-0 0-0 0, Katie Kurt 0-5 0-2 0, Makayla Dobney 1-3 0-0 2, Jackie Falconer 0-0 0-0 0, Hannah Doyl 0-0 0-0 0, Taylor Burke 0-1 3-4 3, Taylor Bistline 0-0 0-0 0, Jessica Rechkemmer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-46 13-19 56.

Halftime: North Linn 22, Anamosa 12. 3-point goals: Anamosa 2-17 (Smith 1-6, Wolfe 0-1, Wagner 0-2, Oltmanns 0-4, Schwaegler 0-2, Pratt 1-2), North Linn 4-9 (Miller 3-6, B.Dobney 1-1, Kurt 0-2). Team fouls: Anamosa 14, North Linn 12. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Anamosa 25 (Wagner, Menster 5), North Linn 40 (Mo.Boer 9). Assists: Anamosa 4 (Smith 2), North Linn 9 (Miller 4). Steals: Anamosa 4 (Smith 2), North Linn 10 (Miller 5). Turnovers: Anamosa 14, North Linn 10.