The Pirates' men's basketball team fell short at San Diego City Saturday, dropping an 80-75 decision against the Knights. Kam'Ron Cigar and Jeremiah Wilson each scored 23 points to lead the Pirates (4-3) and Isaiah Dudley collected 11 rebounds. Kevin Hymes contributed 17 points, six assists and three steals to the effort.
San Diego took control early with a 13-0 run for a 17-4 lead at the 15:57 point of the first half. K. Cigar's jumper ended the Pirate skid, and Wilson's three cut the lead to single-digits, 20-11. Hymes, Cyrus Smith and K. Cigar all scored to complete a 9-0 Ventura run and the Pirates trailed 20-17 with 11:36 on the clock.
Hymes converted an old-fashioned 3-point play at the 8:06 mark and K.Cigar was fouled on a 3-point attempt, sinking all three free throws, as VC took a 26-25 lead on the next possession. The Knights tied the game at 28 before K. Cigar drained back-to-back three's for a six-point margin with 5:35 on the clock.
The Knights scored eight straight to retake a slim lead before Wilson hit a triple at the 2:08 mark. City scored two more times in the final minute and Wilson hit a jumper for VC and the Pirates trailed 40-39 at intermission.
The teams battled closely as the second half began. After the Knights started the period with a deuce,Hymes and Bo Dolinsek each scored field goals to tie the game at 43. The teams exchanged scored until K. Cigar and Dolinsek each made two free throws on consecutive possessions to open a 50-46 advantage with 15:34 left to play. The Pirates maintained the slim lead for the next six minutes until San Diego took a 60-59-edge at the 9:28 mark.
K. Cigar hit a pair of free shots to put Ventura back ahead, 6160 before the Knights took the lead for good with a 3-pointer on the next play. The Pirates continued to battle down the stretch, but could not stop the Knights at key moments in the game, ultimately falling 80-75.
VC makes a quick turnaround as the will take on Chabot College in Pasadena on Sunday Nov. 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 am.