Robert Hunt scored 24 points and Jamal Lewis contributed 14, but the Pirates dropped another close decision, 69-63 to Pasadena in the third place game of the Kriby Mannon Pepsi/Holiday Inn Tournament at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia.
Ventura trailed 31-29 at halftime and had the game tied at 55-55 with 6:55 remaining in the contest, but the Lancers pulled away down the stretch for the win.
Toure Atwater had eight points and Elijah Brown pulled in five boards for VC (6-9).
The Pirates break for Christmas and will conclude their non-conference schedule with a home contest against Riverside City College on Friday Jan. 2 at 7:00 pm. The Tigers are directed by VC Hall of Fame coach Phil Mathews, who coached Pirate coaches Joey Ramirez and Hakeem Ward in their playing days at Ventura.