REMARKABLE SEASON FOR MARAUDER MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ENDS AT CHAFFEY

Photo by David Nurse

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - It's been somewhat of a turbulent season for the Marauder men's basketball team.

They were ranked as the No. 1 team in the state and the last remaining undefeated team in California. However, injuries and a mid-season slump nearly left the Marauders out of the playoffs. But AVC got things back together and advanced to the Elite Eight of the California State Championships.

Unfortunately, the Marauders fell one game short to advancing to the state's Final Four with an 84-78 loss to Chaffey College, Saturday night at Chaffey College.

With the victory, the Panthers (25-6) will face City College of San Francisco in one semifinal matchup. The other will pit Fresno City College and Saddleback College.

"We played our heart's out, but sometimes that's the way it goes," AVC sophomore guard Jalen Etienne said. "They hit some tough shots. It hurts. I know we're a better team than they are. I thought we played well though."

Etienne led the Marauders with 22 points. Teammate Joseph Moorer finished with 18 points.

Chaffey led all less than a minute of the first half. AVC's only lead of the first half came following a 3-pointer by Etienne giving it an 8-7 lead. The Panthers were able to maintain their lead throughout the half and led by as many as 10 points.

Still the Marauders chipped away at the lead. Chaffey led 33-23 with 3:40 remaining, but AVC used a 6-0 run including a putback dunk by Izayah Doyle, which trimmed the lead to 35-29. The Marauders cut the lead to 39-37 at halftime following a deep 3-point from Moorer.

AVC came out of the locker room on fire and left off where it ended the first half. The Marauders built their largest lead of the game, 61-55, with 9:20 remaining. The Panthers responded with a 16-5 run over a stretch of five minutes giving them control back of the game.

The Marauders kept the game close, however, couldn't seem to make that run to get over the hump. Late free throw shooting sealed the game for Chaffey.

While AVC was undefeated at home this season, it struggled on the road with a 5-6 record away from Marauder Gymnasium. 

"It was an up and down season for us," said Moorer. "We were underdogs the whole season. We still have a lot to be proud of."