MEN'S BASKETBALL: Falling for the second time in as many days, the VC men's basketball team was eliminated from the Irvine Valley Tournament Friday with a narrow 67-66 loss to Imperial Valley. Jon McMurry netted 17 points to lead Ventura (3-3) while Ivan Dooley and Jalen Young scored 16 points each. Dennis Savoy came off the bench to lead the Pirates with seven boards.
The game was close early until the Arabs opened up a 9-point advantage with 7:40 remaining in the first half. The Pirates battled back, however, tying the game at 36-36 in the final minute of the half on a 3-pointer by McMurry, but a buzzer-beater by IVC made the score 41-37 at halftime.
Imperial Valley reestablished control early in the second half, posting a 51-41 advantage at the 16:10 mark of the period, but the Pirates would fight their way back into the game, once again. Anthony Morman made a lay-up with 6:15 on the clock to knot the score at 59-59, and Young's jumper on the next trip down put VC ahead by a deuce. VC held a 64-60 lead with 4:24 remaining on another bucket by Young, but they could not make the advantage hold up. The Arabs outscored VC 7-2 down the stretch to grab the win.
Ventura will travel to Pasadena City College after Thanksgiving for three games. on Friday Nov. 29 they will open with Barstow at 2:00 pm followed by a date with San Bernardino Valley on Saturday Nov. 30 at 4:00 pm. They complete the swing on Sunday Dec. 1 against East Los Angeles with a 1:00 pm tip-off.