We Play Hard!

@ Ventura 64, Los Angeles Pierce 51

January 12, 2008

Box Score

     It won't be one of the games that fans will remember with great fondness.  The 3rd-ranked Pirates struggled offensively almost the entire evening, shooting just 32 percent from the floor for the game, and 61 percent from the foul line.  But they used a 14-2 run over a six minute stretch sandwiched around halftime to turn a six point deficit, 30-24, into a six point lead, 38-32, and hung on down the stretch in their 64-51 win over 15th-ranked Los Angeles Pierce College at the Athletic Event Center Saturday night.

     Jenelle Conklin got the evening started off on the right foot as her steal and lay-up broke the ice with Ventura (2-0, 17-5) ahead 2-0.  There were three ties and three lead changes over the next several minutes before Conklin seemingly gave the Pirates some control with a bucket to put them up 12-7 at the 13:48 point of the half.  Lindsay Trout's 3-pointer put VC ahead 17-13 with 10:58 remaining in the half before LA Pierce (0-1, 14-4) tied the score at 17 two-and-a-half minutes later.  The Brahmas completed their 12-0 run with a bucket at the 5:16 mark, making the score 25-17.  The Pirates trailed 30-24 as the half wound down before a pair of Julie Heurung buckets and an Eja Wong trifecta gave VC the lead 31-30 with 33 seconds on the clock.  A pair of Charity tosses  with 1.1 seconds on the clock gave the Brahmas a 32-31 halftime lead.

     Ventura continued its long, painful march to take control of the game, scoring the second half's first seven points over a five minute span.  Pierce missed their first 10 shots of the period, and managed but four free throws in the first seven-plus minutes as Conklin's bucket at the 13:35 mark gave VC a somewhat stable 40-34 advantage.  Pierce closed the gap back to two, 40-38 with 12:33 remaining, but the Pirates answered with five unanswered points capped by Wong's basket  at the 10:43 mark making the score 45-38.  Pierce came back again, making with the score 52-46 with 4:52 left in the game, when Heurung took over the game.  She scored seven of VC's next nine points over the following 2:42, nailing the Brahmas' proverbial coffin shut with her old-fashioned 3-point play with 2:10 on the clock.  VC led 61-49 and rode the momentum to their 64-51 victory.

     Conklin had an outstanding all-around night with team-highs of 16 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and three blocked shots.  She also took a charge for good measure.  Heurung finished the game with 15 points, including a 7-9 night at the free throw line, and seven boards.  Wong played her second solid game in-a-row coming off the bench with 10 points.  Michelle Santizo finished the game with six rebounds and four steals while Indira Kaljo scored 10 points and grabbed six caroms.

     The Pirates  have a bye on Wednesday and return to action Saturday January 19 at Moorpark.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm with the VC men to follow at 7:30.  VC returns home on Wednesday January 23 against rival Santa Barbara.