@ Ventura 48, Riverside 62

December 30,2005

Box Score

     Ventura made it a game for just over a half, but poor floor shooting and abysmal free throws doomed the Pirates to defeat against the sixth-ranked Riverside Tigers, 62-48, at the Athletic Event Center.  The Pirates managed to shoot just 31.6 percent from the field (18-57) and 35.7 percent from the line (10-28) in addition to committing 32 turnovers in their third home loss of the year.

     VC kept the game close throughout the first half.  After falling behind 16-12 at the 11:39 point of the half, VC scored four consecutive points, capped off by Kristen Gibbert's driving lay-up with 10:58 remaining to tie the score at 16.  Ventura (11-8) received the ball back on the play with a Tiger foul on the rebound, but was unable to take the lead with the possession.  Riverside (14-5) opened up an eight-point advantage 26-18, at the 3:24 mark before VC came back again.  Misty Alvarado hit a driving shot with 7.6 seconds left in the period to bring the Pirates to within two, 27-25.  Alvarado, who was fouled on the play, was unable to connect on the charity toss, however, and RCC brought the rebound down the floor to hit a shot at the buzzer for a 29-25 lead.

     The second half began slowly for both teams with the Tigers shooting 1-4 and Ventura turning the ball over four times with one field goal.  VC trailed 36-30 on a Medina Britt bucket with 15:18 remaining when Riverside used another Pirate offensive drought to put the game away.  Ventura was outscored 13-3 over the next five-plus minutes, falling behind 49-33.  The Tigers stretched the advantage to as many as 21 points, 57-36 with 6:35 on the clock, before Ventura closed the gap to 14 points at the final buzzer, 62-48.

     Gibbert and Alvarado led the Pirate offense with 10 points each, and they each pulled down seven rebounds, as well.  Britt scored eight points and Tina Stetson and Katie Killebrew each had five boards.  Britt and Karla Martinez each took two charges.

     The Pirates open WSC-North play on Wed. Jan. 4 with a big game at Santa Barbara City College.  The game tips off at 5:30 pm.  The game will be followed by the VC men at 7:30 pm.