Raider Pavilion has been the site for numerous close calls over the years for the Ventura College women's basketball team. Wednesday night's game was another one as the guests came from behind in the final two minutes after losing an 11-point lead with 11 minutes remaining to take home a 60-57 victory over the Raiders. Brooke Zamora continued her strong play with a 16-point, nine rebound performance for Ventura (19-5, 6-0).
The Pirates began the game ice-cold and had trouble holding on to the basketball. VC missed their first six shots and had four early turnovers, but only trailed 4-0 when Makenna Murray hit a pull-up jumper five minutes into the game to get them on the board. It was 14-7 in favor of the Raiders at the 8:56 mark when Zamora sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around a triple from Micaela Pericone-Kapp, putting the Pirates ahead 18-14.
Ventura finished the half strong, including a pair of buckets from Zamora, a field goal from Carolyn Ruffino, a strong post move for two by Sandra Ortiz and a jumper from Aubri Smith, and took a 31-22 advantage into halftime.
Moorpark came out with a 10-2 run to open the second half, pulling to within 34-32 at the 15:24 mark. Two treys from Pericone-Kapp, and another by Aubri Smith, along with another Pericone-Kapp deuce and another post score by Ortiz built the VC lead back to 11 points, 47-36, with just under 11 minutes left to play.
Moorpark, who was playing without their leading scorer due to injury, kept up the fight in the physical contest. They managed to tie the game at 50-50 with 5:32 on the clock, and took a 57-54 advantage with 3:09 remaining. Ortiz scored in the low post to narrow the gap, and Ruffino hit a runner on the left side to give Ventura a 58-57 lead with 1:39 left.
Following a Moorpark miss, Ventura beat the shot clock twice in the final minute with field goal attempts, and Ruffino pulled in a key offensive rebound. Zamora calmly sank a pair of free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining, and Moorpark's final 3-point attempt hit the back iron, preserving the Pirate victory.
Aubri Smith had 13 points, five assists and two steals for Ventura while Pericone-Kapp contributed 12 points and nine boards. Ortiz had seven points and seven rebounds along with a pair of steals.
The Pirates complete the first round of Western State Conference North Division play at 6-0, and will travel to San Luis Obispo to take on 5-1 Cuesta on Saturday Jan. 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm, following the Pirate men at 5:00 pm.