WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Brooke Dixon and Lisa Marie Sanchez each netted 21 points to lead the Pirates' women's basketball team to an 84-65 victory over Solano in the first round of the Tom Gilcrest Invitational at the College of the Sequoias Thursday evening. They also pulled down seven rebounds each while Adrianne Sloboh had a double-double of 12 points and 14 boards for VC (6-1) in the win. Cynthia Hernandez scored 10 points and Adrianna Vega handed out six assists in the contest.
The game began at a frenetic pace with both teams making every shot they threw up. Vega assisted a pair of 3-pointers by Hernandez in the opening minute, but the Falcons matches the Pirate 3's with 2's. Dixon scored a deuce followed by another Solano bucket as VC led 8-6 with 1:22 into the contest. Hernandez hit another field goal, followed by a Dixon assist to Solboh and a 3-point play by Dixon and the Pirates held a 15-6 advantage with 17:41 on the clock. The Falcons pressure defense left Dixon open in the paint on the next two possessions as she took full advantage with two more baskets in the next two minutes. Makayla Morrison hit a free throw with 15:08 on the clock and Ventura led 20-12 at the 15:08 mark. The Pirates went on a 23-2 run midway through the half to take control, 41-14 with 5:59 remaining. Ventura led at halftime 54-21.
It was difficult for the Pirates to maintain the first half intensity in the final period, ahead by 33 points at the break. A basket by Sloboh gave Ventura a 70-36 lead with 13:50 left in the contest when Solano showed some fight, coming back on a 16-2 run over the next eight minutes. Two Sanchez free throws broke the skid, and VC responded to put the game away with subsequent scores by Dixon and Vega. The Pirates rode away with the 84-65 win.
Ventura will continue play in the tournament on Friday Dec. 6 against Riverside at 8:00 pm. Games will continue on Saturday and Sunday Dec. 7 and 8 in the 16-team draw.