Community College Basketball : Golden West Falls Despite Play of Strachan, Smith

Despite 23 points from guard Byron Strachan, Golden West College lost to Los Angeles Valley, 64-54, Wednesday and dropped into the consolation bracket after the first round of play in the Antelope Valley Tournament. LA Valley center Art Lopez scored 24 points. Golden West forward Kevin Smith had 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Rustlers play Oxnard today at 12:15.

GOLDEN WEST (54)--Strachan 23, Smith 11, Simpson 2, Debbs 6, DeGrande 6, Utu 8.

LOS ANGELES VALLEY (64)--Andrews 2, Lewis 9, Stephens 4, Goodrich 4, Harden 6, Benus 5, Lopez 24, Fontenette 7, Windham 2.

Halftime--Los Angeles Valley, 34-33.

Australian Institute of Sport 57, Fullerton 56--John Stelzer made a 15-foot jump shot with three seconds remaining to lead the Australians to the win over the Hornets at Fullerton College. Rocco Myers scored a game-high 15 points for Fullerton and Steve Snow added 12 points, while Shane Froling led the Australia with 12.

AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE OF SPORT (57)--McLean 2, Clarke 6, Holder 8, Froling 12, Webb 3, Zadow 4, Vlarov 4, Longley 6, Steizer 6, Bradtke 6.

FULLERTON (56))--Hakeman 2, Buda 6, Snow 12, Lewis 4, Fox 2, Myers 15, Moss 6, Fraser 9.

Halftime score--Tied, 29-29.

In women’s community college basketball:

Golden West 81, San Diego Mesa 36--Five players scored in double figures to lead the Golden West College women’s basketball team to a nonconference victory over San Diego Mesa at Golden West.

The Rustlers were paced by Stacy Barnes and Shanna Beer, who each scored 15 points. Golden West improved its record to 4-1. The Olympians are 0-3.