MEN'S BASKETBALL: For the second consecutive game the Pirate men's basketball team had trouble scoring down the stretch. Unfortunately the result was not the same Saturday as it had been Wednesday as VC dropped a 63-56 decision at home to Cuesta College, falling into a first-place tie with the Cougars with a 5-2 conference mark. Ivan Dooley scored 19 points to lead Ventura (12-11, 5-2) while Jalen Young and Jon McMurry each recorded 11 points.
The Pirates opened up a seven-point advantage early, 14-7, on Anthony Morman's bucket at the 14:04 mark of the first half. Cuesta came back, however, and took a 22-17 lead three minutes later, before VC was able to stop the Cougars' momentum. A 7-0 run capped by Dooley's 3-point shot with 8:51 on the clock brouth Ventura back, and the Pirates held a 34-32 halftime lead.
McMurry hit a triple to open the second half before the wheels fell off for Ventrua. The Cougars went on a 17-0 run over the next eight minutes to take a 49-37 advantage, forcing the Pirates to play catch-up. McMurry's field goal at the 3:14 mark brought VC back to within three points, 57-54, but Ventura would get no closer.
The Pirates have a bye date on Wednesday before returning to the hardwood at Allan Hancock College on Saturday Feb. 8 at 5:00 pm. The contest with the Bulldogs can be heard live online on the VC Men's Sports Network.