On nights like Friday, Merrillville’s Torri Miller doesn’t have to think too much.

And that’s when the 5-foot-2 junior guard believes she’s at her best: when she can just react.

“I wasn’t thinking about it whenever I took a shot,” Miller said. “I just took the shot. I was just letting my game come to me.”

Miller scored 11 points in the second quarter and finished with a game-high 23 as Merrillville won 76-39 at home against Michigan City in a Duneland Athletic Conference game.

Michigan City (5-7, 0-4) was led by junior forward Trinity Thompson, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds before she fouled out late in the third quarter. But that was not enough to keep pace with Merrillville (8-2, 3-1), as Miller scored 17 points in the first half to help the Pirates build a 32-25 halftime lead.

After leading the team in scoring last season, Miller said she’s been in a better mental place before each game thanks to frequent conversations with her coaches and teammates.

“People are always encouraging me,” Miller said. “It’s helping my attitude and what I’m thinking about before the games.”

Miller did much of her damage from behind the arc, going 3-for-3 on 3-pointers in the first half. That improved shot has made Miller tougher to contain, coach Amy Govert said.

“(Miller) is so fast,” Govert said. “She’s going to get to the paint and score, or find someone else.

“Now she can knock down her threes. It’s a difficult matchup.”

Govert said the Pirates needed that strong start from Miller to recover after a quiet first quarter that saw Michigan City jump out to a 16-13 lead.

“We were not ready to play,” Govert said. “We knew it’s a long week heading into Christmas, but it’s the same for every team. We were not happy with our start.”

Junior guard Cailynn Dilosa added 15 points for Merrillville, which rebounded in the second quarter and then pulled away in the third. By the time the fourth quarter started, Merrillville was ahead 60-36.

Junior guard Katelyn Halfacre scored 15 points for Michigan City.

It had been six days since Merrillville’s last game, while the Wolves were in the middle of their busiest stretch of the season, which coach Mike Megyese mentioned after the game.

“We were down seven at the half to a real good team while playing our third game in four days,” Megyese said. “I’m happy. Our kids are competing. The final score doesn’t indicate how good of a game this was. We’ll go out (Saturday) and play our fourth game in five nights.”

Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.