IOWA CITY - The Iowa City High girls basketball team spent its summer vacation learning to play with pressure, and the 13th-ranked Little Hawks put it to use Tuesday night during their 66-53 win over Linn-Mar.

"We've got some athleticism, got some long arms on the ball in our middle position," City High Coach Bill McTaggart said. "We found in the summertime that (full-court defense) works best for our team."

City High trailed, 16-11, in the first quarter but went on a 24-6 run to close the half. "We got a lot of steals and a lot of shots off our press," junior guard Mickey Hansche said.

The Little Hawks (3-0) forced 22 turnovers, but also gave it back 25 times. City High made up for it by dominating the paint behind 6-foot-2 center Sierra Chambers, who had 21 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

"I think their size is what got to us," Linn-Mar guard Mykaela Brandt said. "Their press, we've been working on it. We just got startled when they got their hands up."

It was a big step forward for Chambers, who was a little unpolished in the post last season.

"I used to miss almost all my layups," Chambers said. "Coach worked with me. I had a lot of extra practice, and I just got better."

McTaggart, who also has 6-foot junior Aliyah Gustafson and 6-2 sophomore Haley Lorenzen to work with inside, said Chambers can provide matchup problems.

"I hope you saw that today," McTaggart said. "She's continuing to get better, and we're pleased with what she's been doing."

City High made its big 24-6 run by getting some key buckets from Hansche. The junior was face-guarded all night by Brandt.

"Just full denial. Don't let her get the ball," Brandt said. "We were supposed to help a lot on her and not let her get the ball."

Hansche got the ball off the press and made a pair of layups to kick off the run at the end of the first quarter. She had 12 of her 19 points during the run.

"I try to get around it and try not to think about it, and go to the hole," she said.

Chambers had eight points during the run.

City High led 35-22 at halftime. Linn-Mar (2-1) cut the lead to six points, 53-47, with a burst at the start of the fourth quarter, but Kiera Washpun had a big three-point play to get the momentum back for the Little Hawks.

Lorenzen added 13 points despite missing most of the first half in foul trouble.

Brandt tossed in 24 points for Linn-Mar. Courtney Major scored 10 points for the Lions.

LINN-MAR (53): Brandt 10 1-5 24, Strauel 0 4-4 4, Thrune 0 0-0 0, Cheatham 2 1-1 5, Major 4 0-0 10, Yearling 3 0-0 7, Libenguth 0 0-0 0, Eiles 1 0-0 3, Harms 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 6-10 53.

CITY HIGH (66): Washpun 2 1-2 5, Hansche 5 8-10 19, Beasley 3 0-2 6, Lorenzen 5 3-4 13, Gustafson 1 0-0 2, Chambers 10 1-3 21, Sullivan 0 0-0 0, Crew 0 0-0 0, Hightshoe 0 0-0 0, Van Der Woude 0 0-0 0. Totals 26 13-21 66.

Halftime - City High 35, Linn-Mar 22. 3-point goals - Linn-Mar 7 (Brandt 3, Major 2, Yearling 1, Eiles 1), City High 1 (Hansche 1).