MARAUDER WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IMPRESSIVE WITH VICTORY IN SEASON OPENER

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

BAKERSFIELD - Shantanel Bivens looked like she hasn't missed a beat. Deja Smith continued to put up video game type numbers.

After a year layoff to focus on school Bivens returned Friday evening and put on a show as she opened the season with 25 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to help lead the Marauder women's basketball team to a 71-60 victory over Riverside College at the Bakersfield Tournament.

"One good thing is that we had the size advantage and I saw that during warmups. We were able to take advantage of that," AVC head coach Barry Green said. "We did what we were supposed to do with that kind of an advantage. This was a good win for us. Anytime you can start the season with a victory it's encouraging for the rest of the year."

The Marauders (1-0) took full advantage of their size as they outrebounded the Tigers (0-1) 53-33. Smith nearly had a triple-double as she finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Freshman Aniyah Terry made her collegiate debut with 13 points and 11 rebounds on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting.

The Marauders, which will face Pasadena City College, today at 3pm to wrap up the tournament grabbed a 33-25 lead at halftime and led by as many as 20 points in the game. AVC had a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint. Neither team got production from their bench as the Marauders outscored the Tigers 3-0 in bench points.