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     Five Pirates scored in double figures, led by Michelle Santizo's 18 points, and VC used a strong second half performance to defeat Southern California's 15th-ranked Los Angeles Pierce 79-69 Wednesday night at the Athletic Event Center.  The Pirates also hosted their version of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Pink Zone for breast cancer awareness with many activities during the evening.  The win virtually eliminated the Brahmas from the WSC North race, as VC maintained its two-game lead over Moorpark and Santa Barbara with four games remaining.

     Ventura (27-0, 8-0) fell behind 6-3 early as they connected on but one of their first nine field goal attempts.  A pair of free throws Erika Ward and another charity toss from Santizo pulled VC even at six with 15:01 remaining in the first half.  Pierce (18-9, 4-3) hit a shot on the next possession to go ahead by two before the Pirates went on a 10-1 run over the next four minutes.  Jessi Selleh nailed a 3-pointer to begin the run at the 13:43 mark, and it concluded with Santizo connecting on a lay-up from the right side off of an assist by Amanda Padilla at the 10:22 mark, giving VC a 16-9 advantage.  The teams played even for the next five minutes before the Brahmas used  a trio of 3-pointers to pull to within one, 26-25, with 2:26 remaining.  Ward hit Selleh on a pick and roll play down the left side of the paint on the next possession to stop the 8-0 Pierce run.  Ventura went into halftime with a 32-29 advantage.

      Julie Heurung connected from the right block to open the second half, followed by a left-side drive by Donielle Griggs, giving VC a seven point cushion, 36-29.  Pierce hit a trey to cut it back to four before VC answered with a deuce by Santizo, making the score 38-32 in favor of Ventura with 17:45 left in the contest.  The Brahmas went on a 9-0 run over the next two minutes to take a 41-38 lead before Heurung hit another shot to make the score 41-40 in favor of Pierce.  LAPC nailed another trifecta seconds later to go ahead by four, 44-40, before the Pirates' Chanelle Brennan led a comeback.  Hampered by foul trouble in the first half, Brennan, who was scoreless in the opening period, connected on consecutive fast break baskets, the latter coming off of her steal on the defensive end.  Two minutes later Brennan blocked a shot, that was rebounded by Selleh, who in turn, hit Brennan on a lead pass for another lay-up giving VC a 46-44 lead. 

     Pierce came back to take a 49-48 lead on an old-fashioned 3-point play with 12:03 left on the clock before a pair of free throws from Heurung put Ventura ahead for good at the 11:51 mark.  Selleh hit a basket, followed by a nice bucket from Kris King across the middle of the paint to give VC a 54-49 advantage, and Selleh ripped out the Brahmas heart with a 3-pointer from the top of the key exactly halfway through the period, putting the Pirates on top 57-49.  Pierce managed a small comeback, scoring the game's next four points before VC slammed the door shut with a 9-0 run over the next three minutes.  Ahead 66-55, Ventura maintained its lead over the final five minutes of the contest, pulling out the 79-69 win.

     Santizo led the way with 18 points and five rebounds, and Selleh had a solid performance with 17 points and six boards.  Brennan totaled 15 points, all in the second half, and Ward had 12 points with three assists and four steals.  Heurung finished with 10 points and led a strong team rebounding game with nine boards of her own.  Griggs had three steals on the defensive end and Padilla dished out three assists.

     The Pirates hosted the WBCA Pink Zone game for breast cancer awareness.  Activities included information booths and a silent auction in the lobby of the Athletic Event Center, and a special introduction of five honorary starters and an honorary coach, all breast cancer survivors, before the game.  All proceeds raised during the evening will be donated to Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, Ventura County's only breast cancer advocacy group.

     Ventura has the weekend off before traveling to Moorpark next Wednesday, February 11, for a 7pm contest with the Raiders.  The VC men will tip-off at 5:00 pm at the Raider Pavilion.  VC returns home on Valentine's Day against Santa Barbara City College.  All the games can be heard on www.HomeFieldSports.com.