MEN'S BASKETBALL: The Pirate en's basketball team captured their first Western State Conference win of the year, and ended a three game losing streak in the process by routing Allan Hancock College 77-58 Wednesday night at the Athletic Event Center. Ivan Dooley paced VC (8-10, 1-1) with 15 points and seven rebounds. Rodney Bryant scored 14 points with five assists while Jalen Young netted 11 with four dimes. Jon McMurry scored 13 points, including hitting three 3-pointers.
Ventura put together two solid halves with success starting on the defensive end of the floor. VC was paced in the first half by sophomore McMurry who scored 10 points in the game's opening 20 minutes. Freshman Young added seven in the first half. Efficient offense and a pesky defense, which regularly only allowed one shot to the Bulldogs, helped the Pirates take a 34-26 lead into halftime.
The Pirates shot a better percentage in the second half offensively and increased their defensive intensity to take control of the contest. Sophomore Dooley got hot in the second half, tallying 12 of his 15 points in the final period. Bryant knocked down back-to-back three pointers to help take the Pirate lead to 18 points midway through the second half. The Pirates would hold off the Bulldogs to win 77-58.
The Pirates got productive minutes from the bench with Najee Seabrooks, who had two points and four rebounds, and Dennis Savoy who scored four points with four rebounds.
The Pirates play at home again on Saturday Jan. 18, hosting Los Angeles Pierce College at the Athletic Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm following the Pirate women's game at 5:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center. The game can be heard live on the VC Men's Sports Network.