AVC SHOOTS FOR FIRST THREE-PEAT.

Byline: Art Avila Staff Writer {LEDE} The Antelope Valley College women's basketball team is 5-2 in the Foothill Conference and has big wins and close losses against top teams this year.

But one thing that's missing is a three-game winning streak. And that could change tonight when the Marauders face a weak San Bernardino Valley team on the road.

San Bernardino, which started 0-11, has its only win this year against an even weaker Mt. San Jacinto.

Sophomore Alicia Parra said the Marauders need a winning streak to build the team's confidence.

After a tough nonconference schedule, the Marauders (11-11, 5-2) won three of their first four Foothill Conference games. They then lost a close game against Victor Valley, one of the top teams in the conference.

The Marauders have won their last two games, including Monday's 68-43 rout of Mt. San Jacinto.

Coach Jackie Lott said the Marauders' tough preseason schedule is paying off during conference play, especially with the team's balanced scoring.

``It'a sign of maturing we didn't have early on,'' Lott said. ``It seems on a different night someone steps it up. Every night someone different is hot.''

That has allowed the team to stay in the hunt for the conference title.

The women stay on the road against College of the Desert on Saturday before returning home Monday night for a game with Rio Hondo, one of the top teams in the conference. The Marauders will try to avenge a 10-point loss to Rio Hondo earlier this month.

Tough times: The AVC men's basketball team has had a tough time getting started this year.

The Marauders lost their first four games as the team learned to play on the same court together. In their second Foothill Conference game, the Marauders lost by three points. In a loss against Barstow, the team was not able to get going until the second half and then lost in the game's final minutes.

In the Marauders' quest for their sixth consecutive conference title, they have hit some rough spots. The team has had to overcome injuries, bad officiating and inconsistent play.

As the Marauders (14-11, 4-3 Foothill) start the second half of conference play with two road games, including a matchup with conference-leading Mt. San Jacinto on Saturday.

Coach Newton Chelette said mistakes are causing some of the struggles.

``My biggest concern is that we are not making a commitment to guard people,'' he said. ``Before we win anything we have to make a commitment to guard people.''

With three conference losses, it will be tough for the Marauders to remain Foothill Conference champs, a title the school has held the last five years.

``I don't think anyone is going to go undefeated in conference,'' he said. ``It's a pretty even conference. All of the teams are balanced in the league.''

AVC faces Chaffey College on the road tonight and returns for a home game Feb. 2 against College of the Desert.

Streaky sophomore: Sophomore Nick O'Neill has put up some big numbers for the Marauders this season. He has had 27-, 25- and 24-point games.

But he has also had games where he scored five, three and two points.

The 5-foot-8 guard from Tehachapi High has started all but the first two games of the year.

``Some days I think I can get every shot,'' O'Neill said. He said some nights it's the little things that slow him down and other nights it's everything in general.

O'Neill is third on the team in scoring and has a 48-percent field goal percentage. In three of his first five games, he scored 20 points or more, then went on a skid where he scored in double figures once in seven games.

Going into tonight's game against Chaffey College, he has scored 22, 15 and 25 points in three of the last four games.

As the Marauders hit the midway point of their conference schedule, O'Neill is going to be counted on down the stretch.

``Every game has been close,'' O'Neill said. ``We have to quit making mistakes.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) AVC's Tony Mayes tries to get a pass off in a recent game. The Marauders' five-year regin as Foothill League champs is in danger.

(2 -- color) The Marauders' Michael Calloway grabs a rebound. AVC open the second half of conference play on the road.