SMITH LEADS MARAUDER WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IN A BATTLE FOR SECOND PLACE

Photo by Ed Beyer PhD

LANCASTER - Deja Smith scored a season-high 28 points on an efficient 12-of-19 shooting to lead the Marauder women's basketball team to an easy 54-41 victory over Glendale at Marauder Gymnasium.

With the victory the Marauders remained one game out of first place behind LA Valley, while the Vaqueros fell two games back of the Monarchs.

"It was a very big win for us. We had to make a statement to LA Valley that last game against them our mind wasn't right," said Smith. "I felt like I had to lead my team tonight. I feel like when I play well the whole team plays well. Coach told us we needed to relax and play our game. It's one game at a time for us. I felt like we executed the game plan tonight."

AVC one of its better shooting nights as it was 45 percent from the field. Shantanel Bivens scored six points and grabbed nine rebounds. Smith also added five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

AVC's defense forced the Vaqueros to shoot only 30 percent for the game. Glendale was outscored 26-18 in the second half after trailing 28-23 at halftime.