We Play Hard!

Ventura 60, @ Oxnard 52

January 26, 2008

Box Score

     Last season the Pirates snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at Oxnard, coming back from 12 points down in the second half to pull out a 52-48 win.  Saturday, defeat never really had victory in its grasp, but it was lurking until late in the game, before it left the building with Elvis, and the Pirates pulled out a 60-52 win.  VC overcame its worst shooting night of the year, 30 percent (20-66) to win its 20th game of the season, making it 19 straight years of 20 or more victories for the Pirates.  

     Ventura had plenty of opportunities early to put the Condors away, but they could not take advantage.  Oxnard (0-5, 9-9) missed their first shots, but when they scored their first points, VC was only up 4-2.  The game was tied at six when Indira Kaljo hit a 3-pointer with 12:18 remaining in the period, putting Ventura (5-0, 20-5) ahead 9-6.  The Condors answered with four straight points to take a 10-9 lead less than a minute later.  Two possessions later Michelle Santizo hit a 3-pointer to put VC ahead and start a 7-0 Pirate run.  Eja Wong hit another trifecta with 1:52 on the clock to make the score 27-19, Pirates, and that score would stand at halftime.

     Oxnard outscored Ventura 11-2 over then first 4:13 of the final period to knot the score at 30.  A pair of Julie Heurung free throws broke the tie, and Ventura went on to score eight more unanswered points, four from Kaljo, a bucket by Wong, and another two from Heurung, to take control of the contest.  VC was unable to build the lead much past the 10-point mark, and the Condors hung around for the remainder of the game.  Despite giving up two uncontested lay-ups in the end, Ventura was able to hang on for the 60-52 win.

     Kaljo led the Pirates with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds while Heurung had her own double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.  Santizo also finished in double figures with 11 points while Jenelle Conklin tallied eight.  Wong and Heurung each handed out four assists while Conklin dished out three dimes.  Despite a rough night shooting from the floor, the Pirates did connect on 17 of 20 free throw attempts (85 percent).  They also had 14 assists as a team as compared with 13 turnovers and out rebounded the Condors 55-30.

     Ventura will complete the first round of WSC North play on Wednesday Jan. 30 at home against Allan Hancock.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm at the Athletic Event Center, and the game will be followed by the VC men at 7:30.