BIG SECOND HALF HELPS LEAD MARAUDER MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM TO SEASON OPENING VICTORY

Photo by David Nurse

VENTURA - It wasn't all bright suns and sandy beaches for the Marauder men's basketball team in the first half of its opening round game in the Ventura Tournament.

But that was the first half.

The Marauders decided to wake up and play some defense.

And it didn't take long to show why their ranked No. 11 in the state as they outscored Orange Coast College 54-32 in the second half and cruised to a 95-81 victory Thursday afternoon at Ventura College.

"It was an ugly first half," AVC's Cory Dollarhide said. "But int he second half we came together and played as a team."

Dollarhide led the Marauders (1-0) with 16 points, despite having an off-night shooting the ball.

AVC, which trailed 49-41 at halftime but shot 67 percent in the second half, will face Riverside City College in the next round of the tournament. The Tigers had no problems disposing of Moorpark College, 102-58.

AVC head coach John Taylor said Orange Coast came out pressing his team, something his team wasn't prepared for this early in the season. However, Taylor said his team settled in and his team will matchup better with Riverside (1-0) on Friday.

Antone Warren, who was plagued by foul trouble finished with 15 points and six rebounds in only 17 minutes. Charles Hall finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Christian Solis provided a spark off the bench for the Marauders as he finished with 13 points, including four 3-pointers in only nine minutes.

AVC, which was outrebounded in nearly every game last season, held a 40-38 rebound edge against Orange Coast (0-1).