Ventura 64, Oxnard 18

February 8, 2006

Box Score

    It was a record setting evening for the Pirates in their 64-18 victory at Oxnard.  The VC defense tied a record for the least points allowed in a half as the Condors were held to four points in the second half.  Additionally, the Ventura win coupled with Cuesta's 49-44 loss to LA Pierce clinched at least a tie for the WSC North championship for the Pirates, their 16th consecutive conference title.  Finally, with the victory, the Pirates reach the 20-win plateau for the 17th consecutive season.

     The outcome of the game was never in doubt, even when Oxnard (0-22, 0-9) scored the first bucket of the game.  Sandy Perry's lay-up, and Tina Stetson's free throw put Ventura (20-9, 9-1) up for good with 17:31 to play in the first half.  A 14-5 run by the Pirates fueled by three baskets by McKena Richardson and two from Rebecca Kolbeck put the game out of reach mid-way through the opening period.  VC led 19-5 after the run with 9:35 on the clock.  The Pirates scored just six points over the next five minutes, but allowed two Condor buckets, a three and a two, to take a 25-14 lead into the final four minutes of the half.  Michelle Jameson caught fire in the closing minutes, hitting three consecutive trifectas sending the Pirates into intermission with a 40-14 lead.

     In the second half Oxnard managed just one field goal, a 3-pointer at the 15:10 mark, and a free throw with 4:43 on the clock, while Ventura struggled with its offense, shooting 27 percent (9-for-33) in the period.  However, the struggles did not factor into the outcome of this game as the Pirates won easily 64-18. 

     Kolbeck led the VC scoring with 14 points while Richardson added 12.  Jameson finished with nine points and Katie Killebrew added eight.  Stetson led the Pirate Windex crew with nine rebounds and Veronica Williams pulled down six boards.  Williams also handed out four assists and Richardson and Sara Arciniega each gave out three dimes.  Kolbeck pulled down five rebounds while grabbing five steals in the game to go along with two blocked shots.

     Ventura reached three milestones with the win at Oxnard.  The four points allowed by the Pirates in the second half ties a team record for fewest points allowed in a half.  The undefeated state champion 1995-96 team gave up four points to Oxnard in the first half of their game ten years ago on February 7, 1996.  Also, VC won its 20th game of the year, marking 17 consecutive seasons the Pirates have reached that benchmark plateau.  Finally,  with the VC win and Cuesta's loss to LA Pierce, the Pirates clinch at least a share of the WSC North championship.  It gives Ventura an unprecedented 16-peat as they lead both Cuesta and Moorpark by two games with two games remaining.  The win also eliminated  Santa Barbara from title contention.

     The Pirates return home on Saturday Feb. 11 for a non-conference game against defending WSC South champion Citrus College.  The Lady Owls visit Ventura for the annual barbeque fundraising game, with tip-off slated for 7:00 pm.  The tri-tip and chicken barbeque will be held in the VC Cafeteria from 4:30 - 6:30 pm before the game.  Also at the game, the Pirates will honor five "favorite teachers," who were selected by the VC sophomores, at halftime of the contest. 

     VC returns to WSC North play on Wednesday Feb. 15 at home against Moorpark, the Pirates' final regular-season home game.  They travel to Cuesta for their regular-season finale on Feb. 18.