Ventura 48, Mt. San Antonio 73

November 27, 2005

Championship

VC-Kiwanis Tournament of Champions

Box Score

     Blow-out losses occur in Pirate Country less often than a blue moon, but unfortunately for Ventura, one happened in the finals of the VC-Kiwanis Tournament of Champions on Sunday afternoon against Mt. San Antonio College.  The Pirates (5-2) struggled offensively once again as the #2-ranked Mounties took the championship 73-48.  The Pirates shot 33.9% from the floor and turned the ball over 25 times during the game, VC's first appearance in the tournament's final game since 2003.  Mt. SAC (9-0) has won the tournament three consecutive years.

     The Pirates started out ice cold from the floor, scoring just two points in the game's first 11 minutes.  Turnovers also plagued VC during that span as Mt. SAC built a 21-2 lead with 9:02 remaining in the half.  Mt. SAC stretched the lead to 25 points, 36-11 before Misty Alvarado, Kristen Gibbert and Sara Arciniega all scored to lead VC on an 8-4 run to close the final 1:47 of the period.  VC trailed at intermission 40-19.

     In the second half, the Pirates were down, but never gave in, continuing to fight to the final buzzer.  Trailing 64-37 with 4:49 left in the game, Ventura went on an 8-2 run prompting a Mt. SAC time-out.  The Mounties closed the game strong en route to the 73-48 win.

        Karla Martinez led VC with 11 points and six rebounds while Alvarado had her best game in the orange and black with 11 points, also.  Sandy Perry scored eight points and Veronica Williams pulled down five boards for VC.  Perry and Medina Britt were named to the All-Tournament team.

     Ventura returns to action on Thursday Dec. 1 against DeAnza College from Cupertino at the Tom Gilcrest Invitational Tournament at the College of the Sequoias.  Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 5:00 pm at El Diamante High School in Visalia.