The Pirates' men's basketball team used a 12-3 run over 3:30 at the end of the game, to pull away from Irvine Valley 62-57 Thursday at the Irvine Valley Classic. VC (4-0) turned a 52-50 deficit into a 62-55 advantage during the run. IVC hit a bucket at the buzzer to secure the final margin. Adrian McIntyre had 24 points, including five during the Pirates' decisive run, to lead the way while brother Anthony McIntyre totaled 19, four during the end run. Caleb Geisendorfer came off the bench with six points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Ventura got off to a fast start, moving out to a 6-0 lead on lay-ups by the McIntyre brothers and another deuce by Anthony Garza. The Lasers responded with the next 11 points as VC trailed with 12:03 on the clock. The Pirates then tied things up midway through the half on a dunk from Garza off a Stacy Johnson assist and a triple by Adrian. The game was tied at 22-22 late before Irvine went on a 7-1 run over the final 2:21 of the half for a 29-23 margin at intermission. The Pirates got into foul trouble in the first half, being whistled for 15 violations as a team, resulting in 18 free throws for the Lasers, of which they made 10. Ventura was limited to 4-7 from the charity stripe in the half.
The Pirates went on a 7-2 run to open the second half to tie the game at 30 in less than two minutes. Garza completed an old-fashioned 3-point play and made a jumper, and Anthony scored two to knot the score. The teams remained close for the next 10 minutes, but Ventura never was able to go ahead. VC finally took the lead when Adrian made one of two free throws with 8:35 on the clock for a 43-42 advantage. Over the next four minutes there were four lead changes and three ties until Irvine took a 52-50 advantage with 4:04 remaining.
Anthony turned a defensive rebound into a fast break lay-up to tie the score at 52, and Adrian had a steal for a lay-up on the next possession to give Ventura the lead for good. Anthony then scored on the drive at the 2:52 mark and Adrian made a free throw for a 57-52 edge. The Lasers countered with a three on the next possession to close to within two in the final minute, but Adrian answered with a drive down the right baseline to a floater for a 4-point advantage. The Pirates made three of four free shots down the stretch to seal the win.
Garza ended the game with nine points while Anthony McIntyre added six boards to his 19 points. Adrian McIntyre and Aaron Dawoodjee each grabbed four rebounds.
Ventura advances to the tournament's championship game on Friday Nov. 12 at 6:00 pm against College of the Canyons.