Valley Advances at Bakersfield, 81-73

Ronnie Noel made a steal and two free throws for Valley College in the final two minutes to help preserve a 81-73 victory over San Diego Mesa on Thursday in the first round of the Bakersfield tournament at Bakersfield College.

The Monarchs (5-2) play Cerro Coso today in the second round.

Valley led 48-35 at halftime, but Mesa cut the lead to eight points with two minutes remaining when Noel made his steal.

Leon Brisport had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Valley, Tyree Williams added 13 points, Saheem Nelson scored 12 and Steve Eernisse had 11.

In other college games:

The Master’s 93, Cal Maritime 68--Jerome Joseph scored 22 points for the Mustangs (5-4) in the first round of the Lee Fulmer tournament at Redlands.

The Mustangs made 57.9% of their shots, including 57.1 from three-point range, and built a 58-28 halftime lead.

Joey Penberthy added 17 points and five assists for The Master’s.

Mike McKenzie had 20 points for Cal Maritime.

Mt. San Jacinto 109, Moorpark 99--Charles Dixon had 22 points and Anthony McCurtis added 21, but the Raiders (5-2) lost in the first round of the Antelope Valley tournament.

Frank Clardy had 24 points for Mt. San Jacinto (7-2).

Antelope Valley 89, Trade Tech 78--Damien Brewington had 32 points and seven rebounds for the Beavers (5-4) while John Burrell had 31 points and six rebounds for the host Marauders (7-2) in an Antelope Valley tournament first-round game.

Mira Costa 69, Canyons 64--Bryan Finley had 31 points and seven rebounds and Woodley Polynice contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Cougars (2-3) in an Antelope Valley tournament first-round game.

The Spartans (6-1) committed 23 turnovers and forced 32.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Merced 67, Valley 61--The Monarchs (3-4) were up by five points with 4:30 to play but Merced center Marina Sanchez scored seven points in the last three minutes to complete a comeback in the first round of the Sequoias tournament.

Tanya McLaughlin had 15 points and seven rebounds for Valley. Sanchez finished with 15 points for Merced (5-3).