MARAUDER MEN'S BASKETBALL SQUEAKS BY VICTOR VALLEY

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

LANCASTER - The Marauder men's basketball team continued to struggle but was able to pull out a hard-fought 71-69 victory against four-win Victor Valley College, Saturday night at Marauder Gymnasium.

The Marauders still have a chance to win the conference title, but they need a ton of help. AVC must win on the road at Citrus, something its only done once since joining the Western State Conference, and beat Glendale at home next Saturday.

In addition, Barstow must beat Citrus the final game of the season Victor Valley must upset Barstow in its next game. With all that said, the Marauders would only have a three-way team and share the title with Barstow and Citrus.

On Jan. 21, the Marauders had no problems with the Rams with an easy 73-42 victory. At home on Newton Chelette Court, AVC struggled allowing 10 3-pointers. Over the past four games, the Marauders have allowed 41 3-pointers, including 16 in a home loss to Barstow.

Antone Warren led AVC with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Jailen Gill finished with 14 points and six rebounds.

Late in the game and the Marauders clinging to a two-point lead, Victor Valley's Aubrey Fisher missed a game-winning 3-pointer as Gill grabbed the rebound to seal the victory.

The Marauders led by as many as 11 points, but could never really pull away from the Rams like they did at Victor Valley. Following a made basket by Osi Nwachukwu, AVC led 38-29 with 16 seconds remaining in the first half. Victor Valley gained some momentum as it hit a 3-pointer with one second remaining and the Marauders led only 38-32 eading into the locker room.