Marcus Paige scored 24 first-half points, including 16 in the second quarter, to lead No. 1 Linn-Mar to an 81-40 blowout win over Waterloo West at Linn-Mar Tuesday night.

Paige had eight points in the first quarter when the Lions built a 20-14 lead.  Linn-Mar scored 31 points going in the second quarter.  Paige’s 16 points included four 3-pointers.  The outburst finished with Linn-Mar up 51-28 at half and they coasted through the second half.

“I told the boys that with about six minutes left in the second quarter, we played a pretty good game,” said Linn-Mar Coach Chris Robertson.  “As the game progressed we did a really good job managing and controlling their quickness."

“I don’t normally have to be aggressive, but they were giving me opportunities and I was taking them," Paige said.  “I’m not going to hesitate to take my shots. I love an up tempo game and when (Ian) McBrayer and (Josh) Montague dominate the inside, well, they like to run, too."

Matt Bohannon added 14 points and Shane Benton nine for the Lions (7-0, 4-0 MVC).

Carderrius Smith led West with 10.

With nearly four minutes remaining in the third quarter Linn-Mar built its lead to 35 points and the mercy rule went into effect, keeping the clock running.

“It was great to see Benton back in there for us tonight,” said Coach Robertson.  “He is a three-year varsity player who has been out with mono and was just released to begin playing again.  He is a physical, athletic player who will really help us now that we have him back.”

Linn-Mar hosts Xavier on Friday and then plays Apple Valley, Minn., Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

The Linn-Mar sophomores defeated Waterloo West by a 53-29 margin.

WATERLOO WEST (40):  Washington 3 1-4 9, D. Smith 2 0-0 4, C. Smith 3 4-5 10, Jones 4 0-0 8, McMahon 2 0-0 4, Mallet 1 1-4 3, Moore 0 0-0 0, Jackson 1 0-0 2, Young 0 0-0 0, Myers 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 6-13 40.

LINN-MAR (81): Thul 2 0-0 5, Paige 11 0-0 26, Bohannon 6 0-0 14, McBrayer 2 0-0 4, Montague 4 0-1 8, Benton 3 3-4 9, Krusie 1 0-0 3, Gogg 3 0-0 6, Lassen 1 0-0 2, Lancial 1 0-0 2, Soyer 1 0-0 2, Gentzler 0 0-0 0, Malone 0 0-0 0, Hutchins 0 0-0 0, Johnson 0 0-0 0.  Totals 35 3-6 81.

Halftime – Linn-Mar 51, Waterloo West 28  3-point goals – Waterloo West (Washington 2), Linn-Mar 8 (Paige 4, Bohannon 2, Thul 1, Krusie 1).  Fouled out -- None.