Ventura 35, El Camino 40

December 8, 2005

Opening Round

Rose City Classic

@ Pasadena City College

Box Score

     Ventura made just two field goals in the second half, scoring just 10 points, turning a 25-16 halftime advantage into a 40-35 defeat to El Camino College in the opening round of the Rose City Classic at Pasadena City College.  The Pirates move into the consolation semi-finals on Friday Dec. 9 at 2:00 pm against Imperial Valley.

     Ventura (8-4) struggled offensively from the start, needing four minutes of game time before Sandy Perry hit a break away lay-up to give VC its first points.  The Pirate defense was strong once again, holding the Warriors (5-6) to 24 percent shooting (7-29) in the first half.  Tina Stetson hit a bucket midway through the half, giving VC a 13-12 advantage.  The Pirates built that lead up to 11 points before El Camino scored to close the half, making the score 25-16 at intermission.

   In the second half, what had been a bad dream all season became a nightmare for the Pirates.  The VC offense, which could be best described as anemic at times, flatlined as Ventura failed to make a single field goal until Rebecca Kolbeck hit a shot with 12:20 remaining in the game.  Until that shot, VC had missed 11 consecutive attempts along with committing seven turnovers.  The Kolbeck shot tied the game at 27, and that would be as close as the Pirates would get for the remainder of the contest, as they would not hit another field goal for 11 minutes of game time.  McKena Richardson hit a driving lay-in with 1:32 remaining to give the Pirates their second, and final, made basket of the half.   VC's offensive woes also transferred to the free throw line as the Pirates hit just six of 14 charity attempts in the second half.  Despite the offensive disappearance, Ventura was in the game until the final minute before El Camino pulled away for the 40-35 win.

     Kolbeck led VC with 11 points and eight rebounds while Perry scored nine points, all in the first half.  Stetson pulled down 13 boards while Katie Killebrew pulled down six.

     The Pirates will attempt to regroup on Friday Dec. 9 against Imperial Valley in the consolation semi-finals of the tournament.  A win in that game would give VC another game on Saturday.  The Pirates return home against defending state champion Cypress College on Dec. 15 at 7:00 pm.