MARAUDERS OUTLAST BAKERSFIELD 83-77 IN CONFERENCE MATCHUP.

PHOTOS by Byron Devers

Antelope Valley Men's Basketball snapped a two-game losing skid as they beat the Bakersfield Renegades in Friday's conference game.

The Marauders controlled most of the game after jumping out to a 9-0 start. Their defensive pressure kept the Renegades from executing on offense for much of the contest. Bakersfield closed to within three points at one point, but that was as close as they would get as AVC led 30-26 at the half.

Mekhi Smith scored 12 of his 20 points in the second half as the Marauders opened up an 18-point lead. Smith led AVC, followed by Justin Hill, who had 16 points and Habib Arogundade, who scored 12 points. Hill also had 7 rebounds. 

Dion Troupe had a busy night with 11 points and a game-high 5 assists. He also led AVC with 8 rebounds. Freshman Julian Williams had 11 points.

The Renegades closed to with four points in the final seconds, but Habib Arogundade hit a couple of free-throws to put the game out of reach for good. The Marauders shot 75.7% from the charity stripe.

The Marauders are now 2-2 in conference and 7-11 overall. They will play at Glendale and at Citrus before returning home to face LA Valley on January 29th at 7:00 pm.