In a game that was tightly contested throughout, the Pirates' men's basketball team outlasted Bakersfield 75-71 in the semifinals of the Santa Barbara City College Classic Friday. Adrian McIntyre poured in 36 big points while Anthony Garza tallied 13 with five rebounds while Anthony McIntyre also scored 13 with four boards. VC (11-0) shot 56 percent from the floor (27-48) while the Renegades shot 53 percent (29-55) in the well-played contest.
The first six minutes of the contest set the tone for the rest of the game as the two teams had four ties and three lead changes. Adrian Mc. hit a jumper at the 12:21 mark to break a 10-10 tie and Adrian Mc. followed with scores on the next two possessions to open up a six point advantage for Ventura. The Pirates maintained an edge for the next 10 minutes of play before the renegades retook the lead at 29-28 with 1:42 on the clock. Adrian Mc. immediately responded with a driving score, and Aaron Dawoodjee hit a 3-pointer to give VC a 33-29 halftime lead.
VC continued to maintain its advantage early in the final period. Adrian Mc. had a score and Garza had a dunk to answer BC scores before Anthony Mc. scored a two for a two and Dawoodjee hit a three for a three. Bakersfield finally tied things up at 45 with 14:34 on the clock, but the Pirates continued to provide answers to Renegade buckets until BC tied the game at 45 with 14:34 remaining. The game then had six ties and 13 lead changes over the next nine minutes before Adrian Mc. hit a pair of free throws at the 5:15 mark to give Ventura the lead for good, 63-62. Garza hit a putback to extend the lead to 65-62, and Adrian Mc. scored a pair of lay-ups to push the lead to seven, 69-62, with 2:51 remaining. While BC pulled to within two, 71-69, in the final minute, the Pirates held on to the lead, posting the 75-71 victory.
Ventura moves to the championship game on Saturday Dec. 11 at 7:00 pm. They will take on College of the Desert in the final.