We Play Hard!

Ventura 86, Los Angeles Valley 71

December 7, 2007

1st Round,  Moorpark College Classic

Box Score

     It was not the prettiest VC victory Friday evening, but it counts just the same.  The Pirates had five players in double-figures, balancing 24 turnovers with 20 assists and 53 percent shooting from the floor, in their 86-71 triumph over Los Angeles Valley College in the opening round of the Moorpark College Classic.  The win sets up VC's third meeting with top-ranked Mt. SAC in the past 13 days, Saturday evening in the tournament semifinal at 6:00 pm at Raider Pavilion.

     Ventura (9-3) jumped out to an early lead before the Monarchs even touched the ball, scoring on a Jessica Jameson lay-up from Jenelle Conklin assist six seconds after the tip.  However, LA Valley (5-6) kept pace with the Pirates, forcing a VC timeout with 16:18 on the clock and the Pirate lead standing at 9-8.  One possession later Indira Kaljo hit a 3-pointer to begin a 12-4 Ventura run over the next six minutes.  Randi Hicks closed the run with a 10-foot jumper in the paint to put the Pirates ahead 22-12 with 10:42 remaining in the half.  LA Valley fought back, however, closing the gap to three, 34-31 with 2:03 on the clock.  Ahead 36-33, the Pirates closed the half strong with Hicks' strong inside post move and basket at the 59-second mark and Eja Wong's steal and lay-up on the next possession.  Ventura led at intermission 40-33.

     The Monarchs scored the first five points of the second half, pulling to within two, 40-38 before Kaljo connected from under the basket off of a feed from Sara Nicholson.  With the Pirates ahead 42-40, Conklin hit a long range bomb off of Heurung's dime to begin a 13-3 VC over the next three minutes, giving VC a 55-43 advantage with 14:09 left in the game.  An ensuing three-minute Pirate scoring drought allowed the Monarchs to score seven unanswered points to stay within striking distance 55-50 at the 11:00 mark.  Michelle Santizo hit a big trifecta with 10:21 remaining to hold off the Valley charge.  Ventura failed to score a field goal for five minutes of game time beginning at the 9-minute mark, but Conklin, Kaljo, and Wong connected on nine of 10 free throw attempts during that span to maintain the VC advantage.  The Pirates led by just five points, 72-67 with 3:24 on the game clock before they closed strongly with a 14-4 run to close out the game.  Wong netted ten points for Ventura in the game's final five minutes.  Ventura won the game going away, 86-71.

     Kaljo led the Pirates with 18 points and nine rebounds while Heurung played the best game of her young career with 15 points, seven boards, and three assists.  Wong netted 14 points in the contest while Conklin and Hicks added 12 and 10 points, respectfully.  Santizo led VC with four assists and Christine McPherson returned form an ankle injury, pulling down five rebounds, dishing out three assists, and playing an excellent floor game. 

     Ventura advances to the tournament semifinals on Saturday at 6:00 pm against Mt. SAC.  The Mounties struggled in their own right, leading Santa Monica by just three points at halftime before defeating the Corsairs 72-54.  In the other games in the tournament, Santa Ana defeated Antelope Valley and Moorpark defeated Citrus.