Extra Points Give Title to Marauders

Somehow you knew it would take something extra to win this game.

Antelope Valley College finally broke away in overtime for a 78-70 victory over Victor Valley in a Foothill Conference game Saturday night that gave the Marauders the North Division title.

The Marauders (23-8, 7-1) won their first championship since 1991-92. The conference went to a two-division format this season.

Antelope Valley, however, came within an eyelash of taking a back seat to the Rams (20-10, 6-2).

Waraire Boswell scored for the Marauders to tie the score, 66-66, and send the game into overtime with a rebound basket after Brandon McIntire missed a three-point shot with three seconds left in regulation.

Boswell typically is not on the floor at crunch time, but Marauder Coach Newton Chelette wanted someone in the lineup who would crash the boards.

“I just felt we could get some offensive rebounds with (Boswell) in the game,” Chelette said.

The Marauders scored 12 consecutive points in overtime after Victor Valley’s Alberto Faria opened the period with two free throws.

Victor Valley committed three turnovers in overtime and was forced to foul the Marauders, who converted six of 10 free throws.

There were 55 fouls and 51 turnovers in the sloppy game.

“It was all because (the Marauders) were trying too hard,” Chelette said. “After a while, we were playing not to lose instead of playing to win.”

The Marauders reversed a 93-83 loss to Victor Valley on Feb. 1.

Antelope Valley made only 42.6% of its shots (26 of 61) and 66.7% of its free throws (20 of 30). However, Victor Valley did worse, making 34.3% of its shots (24 of 70) and 58.1% from the line (18 of 31).

Marauder guard Orville Turner, who entered the game with the second-best scoring average in the state at 27.3 points, had 17 points and 18 rebounds.

Mouse Woods scored 16 points for Victor Valley.