WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Hitting 14 3-pointers for the second time this season (tied for the third-highest single-game total in the program's history), the Pirates' women's basketball team shot their way to the title of the LAVC-Russell Classic with an 80-58 win over the host LA Valley Monarchs Sunday afternoon. Cynthia Hernandez scored 24 points on just 13 shots to lead the way while Brooke Dixon earned tournament MVP honors with her third consecutive double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. All-tournament selection Lisa Marie Sanchez had 18 points and eight assists and Adrianna Vega netted 12 points on four triples.
The game was tight early with the Monarchs taking an early 2-0 lead, only to have VC (11-2) come back behind a pair of Dixon free throws and a Hernandez 3-pointer. The Pirates opened up a 12-4 advantage on Sanchez's trey at the 15:23 mark. LA Valley closed to within 17-15 with 13:08 on the clock before a lay-up by Sanchez was sandwiched by a pair of scores from Hernandez, the latter of the 3-point variety, over the next minute. Following an LAVC basket, Hernandez hit another triple to give the Pirates a 27-17 lead with 9:29 left in the half. The Monarchs were not going away, however, and came back to within 29-25 at the 7:54 mark, but VC closed the half on a 22-8 run. Sanchez found the touch during that span with three treys to put Ventura ahead 51-33 at halftime.
LA Valley continued to attack the Pirate lead, but each time they were rebuffed. Vega found her shot in the second half, hitting for three 3-pointers in the half, helping VC maintain their advantage. Dixon netted six of her points with six boards in the final 20 minutes and Adrianne Sloboh also dominated the glass with six of her 14 rebounds in the period. The Monarchs closed to within 63-49 at the 9:03 mark, but a jumper from Dixon, and back-to-back 3's by Vega and Hernandez put the game away. Micaela Pericone-Kapp's 3-pointer in the final minute set the margin at 80-58.
Ventura will begin a 5-game home stand on Friday Dec. 20 by hosting Compton College in the nightcap of the We Play Hard Crossover at 7:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center. Pasadena will play Citrus at 5:00 pm that day. On Saturday Dec. 21, Citrus will play Compton at 5:00 pm followed by VC-Pasadena at 7:00 pm.
