College Basketball : Oxnard Keeps Valley at Bay, 67-64

Oxnard College took an early lead and held off a tenacious Valley team, 67-64, Wednesday night in a Western State Conference men’s basketball game at Valley.

Throughout, there was the feeling that behind sharpshooting guards Tory Stephens and Joey Manliguis, Valley might snatch victory from the Condors’ talons.

But Oxnard guard Tony Stark hit both ends of a 1-and-1 with 8 seconds to play to put away the Monarchs.

Stark had only 5 points before the clinching free throws.

The meat of Oxnard’s offense was provided by Stark’s backcourt mate, Mark Price, who scored 22 points, mostly from outside.

Outside shooting was in vogue as Stephens and Manliguis combined for 36 points, primarily on baskets from the perimeter.

Stephens began his assault late, however, making the Monarchs’ first 12 second-half points. A stop-and-pop jump shot by Stephens with 5:34 to play gave Valley its biggest lead, 56-53.

Unfortunately for the Monarchs, the lead was short-lived as Condor center Randy Carter went to work inside.

Carter scored 7 of Oxnard’s final 9 points, all in the lane.

Forward Paul Nunnery scored 20 points for Oxnard.