It was a rough night for the Ventura College men's basketball team Saturday as they found out first hand why Antelope Valley was ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls. The Marauders jumped the Pirates early and never looked back as VC (2-1) fell 82-58 in the championship game of the We Play Hard Tip-Off Tournament at the Athletic Event Center.
AVC took control early, as Vondel Faniel's bucket in the first minute resulted in the final tie of the game at 2-2. The Pirates were on the short end of a 12-2 run over the next five minutes, as a 3-pointer from Nathaniel Claxton at the 14:15 mark ended the Antelope Valley run. VC, however, maintained the effort despite things not going well on the scoreboard. After being down by as many as 21 points io the opening period, Ventura closed to within 40-25 at the break.
The Pirates kept up the fight in the second half, but the Marauders proved to be too much on this night, taking the tournament title 82-58.
Toure Atwater led the Pirates with 15 points, and Zach Gwin joined him with 11 points, all coming in the second half. The Priates maintained their overall team balance, as 11 players entered the scoring column in the contest. Atwater and teammate Jalon Wilson were named to the all-tournament team for the Pirates.
Ventura next travels to the Alvin Hunter Classic at San Bernardino Valley College Nov. 14-16. they will take on the host Wolverines on Friday nov. 14 at 7:00 pm.