The VC men's basketball team used the momentum of a last-second shot before halftime into a strong second half, defeating Cuesta 87-73 Friday in San Luis Obispo. Adrian McIntyre had 18 points to lead five Pirates in double-figures. Jelani Bell had another monster shooting night, connecting on five three's in his 17 points and Shulton Tobin posted 15. Anthony McInyre totaled 14 points in the game and Aaron Dawoodjee netted 10 for Ventura (22-2, 10-0).
The game was nip-and-tuck for the first 20 minutes of play with neither team establishing consistent control. That appeared to change, however, just before intermission when the Pirates got a last-second putback to count at the buzzer to establish a 34-29 VC advantage.
Ventura rode the momentum out of the locker room, taking control of the game in short order. The Pirates were ahead by as many as 20 points midway through the period and they won the game going away, 79-63.
Anthony Mc. added a game-high 10 rebounds along with three assists while his brother Adrian pulled in eight boards. Tobin hauled in seven caroms with five dimes.
VC (22-2, 10-0) is in first place in the Western State Conference, ahead of Allan Hancock by 1.5 games. The Bulldogs will come calling to the Athletic Event Center on Monday Feb. 21 for a 6:00 pm tilt with the Pirates. The teams will square off again on Friday Feb. 25 in Santa Maria to close out the regular season.