Another close game against a quality opponent, another disappointing loss for the Pirates. VC held a 57-56 lead with 1:26 remaining in the game, but was unable to hold on, falling 62-57 to Pasadena City College Saturday in an elimination game at the Tom Gilcrest Invitational at College of the Sequoias in Visalia. Aubri Smith led the balanced Pirate attack with 10 points in the game. It was the third time in a week that VC had held a late lead, only to let it slip away in the closing minutes.
Makenna Murray got the Pirates (6-3) off on the right foot, hitting a 3-pointer off of a Carolyn Ruffino assist to tie the game at 3-3 in the opening minute. The Pirates struggled soon thereafter with three turnovers and three missed shots, falling behind 8-3 two minutes later. A Kyleesha Green field goal brought Ventura to within 15-14, but a late 3-pointer gave the Lancers the 18-14 edge at the end of the first quarter.
The game remained close throughout the second period, but the Pirates could not make much progress against PCC. Aubri Smith's 3-pointer at the 2:00 mark closed the margin to 28-26, but the Lancers were able to put up the final seven points of the period for a 35-26 halftime lead.
PCC took a 39-28 lead early in the third quarter before the Pirates began their comeback. VC went on a 16-4 over the next six-plus minutes to take a 44-43 advantage. Aubri Smith started the run with a deuce, followed by a high-flying lay-up by Alex Kalmbach down the middle of the paint. Maciel hit a pair of free throws followed by a Sienna Brown jump shot. After a Lancer basket, Green scored on a lay-up as did Amani White. After another PCC bucket, Maciel nailed a triple off of an assist from Aubri Smith, and Green hit for two to give the Pirates their first lead of the game at the 1:39 mark of the third quarter. Pasadena, however, scored the final five points of the quarter to take a 48-44 advantage into the final period.
Ventura started the fourth quarter strongly with a Kalmbach jumper and a 3-pointer from Ruffino to retake the lead. Pasadena tied the score at the 7:05 mark but Kalbach connected for a deuce to put VC ahead 51-49 with 5:35 on the clock. The Lancers had an answer, however scoring the next seven points over 2:37 to take a 56-51 advantage. Murray turned the tide, hitting a triple from an assist by Kalmbach, then connected for a deuce to pull VC back to within one point. White had a big blocked shot and rebound on the defensive end of the floor on the next possession, and Aubri Smith turned it into two points on offense, giving Ventura the 57-56 edge with 1:26 remining in the game. Pasadena, however, quickly answered with a bucket on the next possession, and a pair of turnovers, a missed shot, and missed free throws sealed the Pirates' fate down the stretch. The Pirtes dropped the decision to the Lancers, 62-57.
Aubri Smith had six rebounds, three assists and four steals in addition to her 10 points, and Tatum Maciel hit for nine points in the loss. Kalmbach had eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals while Green and Murray each hit for seven points. Green added three assists and two steals. White had six points, six rebounds, and three blcoked shots.
VC was eliminated from the 16-team, double-elimination tournament, and for only the second time in 21 years, the Pirates will not play on Sunday at the Gilcrest. VC returns to the court on Friday Dec. 11 at the Buddy's All-Star LAVC Classic. Ventura will take on Citrus at 3:00 pm in Valley Glen.