BASKETBALL WOMEN’S STATE JUNIOR COLLEGE PLAYOFFS

Moorpark 78, Riverside 75--What looked like a sure defeat became an improbable victory when No. 4-seeded Moorpark rallied from a 19-point second-half deficit to join Valley among the state’s final eight teams.

The Raiders (30-4) trailed, 53-34, with 13 1/2 minutes to play, then began the long road back, closing to within 65-58 with seven minutes left.

Moorpark trailed, 71-70, when Kerrie Marshall (who had a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds) scored a put-back basket. But Riverside (24-9) moved back to a 75-70 lead with two minutes remaining.

Marshall, who scored eight of Moorpark’s last 12 points, made a steal and converted a layup to trim the deficit to three, then sank two free throws to cut it to 75-74 with 1:28 to play.

Moorpark took the lead for good seconds later when Donna Houck (12 points) hit a 15-foot set shot. Amy Chandler (20 points and eight assists) made a jump shot to give the Raiders a three-point lead with 11 seconds left, accounting for the final score.