MARAUDER MEN'S BASKETBALL ESCAPES FOLLOWING JONES' GAME WINNER

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

LANCASTER - The Marauder men's basketball team didn't play its best basketball of the season, but it did just enough and when the game was on the line everybody in Marauder Stadium knew where the ball was going.

D'Mauria Jones hit a wild off balance 15-foot jump shot as time expired propelling the Marauders to a thrilling 71-69 victory over Victor Valley on Newton Chelette Court.

"I'm pretty sure they fouled me, but coach told us to play through the fouls," said Jones, who finished with a game-high 19 points. "This was an important win. We have to just take one game at a time. I think we will go (into Citrus) with some confidence."

AVC improved its conference record to 3-0 and it will travel to conference favorite and fellow undefeated Citrus on Wednesday. The Owls defeated the Marauders earlier this season.

AVC battled back to tie the score in a game that featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes. Following a timeout with 3.8 seconds remaining, Jones took the inbound pass took two dribbles to his left and forced up a shot from the free throw line that somehow went in sealing the game.

Surako Follings (14 points), Julian Payton (13 points) and Osi Nwachuku added 12 points and 11 rebounds.