FALL ROUNDUP : Antelope Valley Defensive Play Highlights Win

The two facets that Antelope Valley College Coach Newton Chelette was most proud of Saturday night in the Marauders’ 81-66 nonconference victory over visiting Moorpark were his team’s play on defense and its ability to rally when faced with a challenge.

“We have a very gutsy group of guys here,” he said. “I would like to see (UNLV) Coach (Jerry) Tarkanian come see us play a couple of times.”

Chelette’s pleasure over his defense can be explained by the fact that Marauder defensive pressure led to streaks of 11-2 and 13-2 in the first half that turned an early 8-2 Moorpark lead into a 41-27 halftime edge for Antelope Valley.

His pride in their withstanding a challenge came late in the second half when Moorpark (3-1) had cut all but one point off the halftime lead and trailed, 67-66, with three minutes left. At that point, freshman guard Dedan Thomas provided a spark with back-to-back layups and added four free throws as Antelope Valley (3-0) pulled away. Thomas scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half.

Forward Joe Mantashigian of Antelope Valley led all scorers with 24 points, including three three-point baskets. Sophomore guard Roger Thomas led Moorpark with 14 points.

Women’s Basketball

Santa Monica 65, Antelope Valley 46--Forward Jackie Nikzad scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Corsairs (2-0) to a nonconference win at Antelope Valley.

Guards Anna Quiles and Lorena Mejia topped Antelope Valley (0-2) with 14 points each.

Cal Poly Pomona 83, CS Northridge 73--Northridge reserve Joan Weinerth scored 14 points in the first half but the Matadors were unable to build on their one-point halftime lead in the Bronco tournament championship at Pomona.

Julie Arlotto led CSUN (1-1) with 22 points. All-American center Niki Bracken had 32 for Pomona (2-0).