Lamont Landers had a career night on Thursday, sparking the Pirates' men's basketball team to a 93-86 victory at Los Angeles Valley College. Landers scored 32 points on 8-15 shooting, including 6-10 from three, and 10-11 at the free throw line. He added a game-high seven assists for good measure as VC turned around an 80-70 home loss to the Monarchs in the season opener on Nov. 1. Keron Bailey had 15 points and six rebounds while Thomas Dangerfield netted 13 in the victory for the Pirates (8-6).
Ventura was on fire from range in the first half, connecting on 13 of 21 long-range attempts (62%) in holding a 47-44 halftime edge. The Monarchs were hot from the floor in the opening period, as well, converting 14 of 22 shot attempts (64%), including six three's.
Both teams continued their hot shooting i the second half, but the Pirates found their way to the free throw line 20 times in the final 20 minutes, connecting on 17 of them. The Pirates outscored the Monarchs 46-42 in the final stanza for the 93-86 victory.
Jelani Bell had 12 points and six assists for Ventura while Jacob Berry was a perfect 4-4 from the floor for 10 points. Timothy Turner handed out five dimes for VC, who had 19 assists on their 29 made field goals in the game.
The Pirates will take a break for the holidays before resuming their schedule on Friday Jan. 4. VC hosts a four-team crossover featuring Fullerton and Moorpark at 5:00 pm and Riverside and VC at 7:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.