Jaquez Assumes Control in Time for Moorpark : College basketball: Point guard scores 17 of his 22 points in second half to lead Raiders to come-from-behind 58-51 victory over Valley.

With no one able to carry the scoring torch when Moorpark College needed a boost, point guard Jaime Jaquez took charge and bailed out the Raiders.

Jaquez, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, sparked a second-half rally that helped Moorpark to a 58-51 victory over Valley in a Western State Conference interdivisional game Tuesday night.

The former Camarillo High player scored 17 of his 22 points in the final 20 minutes, just when Valley seemed ready to deliver the knockout punch.

Valley (10-8) led, 42-36, with 9 minutes 37 seconds left when Jaquez connected on four consecutive free throws and also added a layup and a three-point basket during a 13-0 run by the Raiders.

Moorpark (14-6), ranked 15th in the state, held Valley scoreless in the 5:25 it took to make the run.

“We played excellent defense,” Moorpark Coach Al Nordquist said. “The best defense is indicated by the (shooting) percentage you hold your opponent to.”

Using that yardstick, the Raiders did a commendable job, indeed.

The Monarchs made only 17 of 50 (34.0%) shots, and only four of 15 (26.7%) from three-point range. Moorpark, however, didn’t exactly set the nets on fire, shooting 32% (16 of 50) from the field and 22% (four of 18) from three-point territory.

But the Raiders finished with a 38-25 advantage in rebounds as forward Nick Foster crashed the boards hard and grabbed 13 rebounds. He also had nine points. His twin brother, Paul, scored 11 points--only three in the first half--and had four rebounds. The 6-8 sophomore went into the game averaging 16.8 points and 11.4 rebounds.

Valley forward Mack Cleveland sparked two sizable runs--one right after the tipoff and the other at the start of the second half.

Valley jumped ahead, 14-2, behind guard Craig Griffin, who scored his seven first-half points in the first six minutes. Moorpark managed to stay within 23-19 at the half before Valley went ahead, 36-29, early in the second half as Cleveland scored eight consecutive points. He finished with 17.

The Raiders, with Jaquez taking command, responded and never trailed after their 13-0 run in the second half. Valley led the entire first half.