The Ventura College women's basketball team found the waters a bit rough Thursday afternoon, dropping a 58-55 decision to El Camino on the first day of the Wild West Shootout at West Los Angeles College in Culver City. In the season-opener for both teams, the Pirates were unable to execute down the stretch and overcome a scrappy Warrior team. Jasmyne Martin scored 13 points with four assists n her VC debut and Davina Del Castillo had eight points with 16 rebounds.
The game was close throughout. The Warriors got the upper hand early, jumping out to an eight point advantage midway through the first period, 11-3, and the Pirates committed four turnovers in the first four minutes. The Pirates settled in, however, and came all the way back to take a 19-18 advantage at the quarter break.
El Camino retook the lead early in the second period, but 3-point shots from Celeste Salazar, Elissa Root and Nikki Puga put the Pirates back in front. But VC went cold after that, and El Camino went into halftime holding a slim 32-31 advantage on the Pirates.
It was a similar story in the third quarter, as both teams would take turns jockeying for the lead. Ventura held the advantage at the quarter break, 44-43.
In the final period, El Camino jumped out to a six point advantage, 54-48, when the Prates appeared to be making a final comeback. With the score 54-50, the comeback stalled, however, as the Pirates could not connect at the free throw line, and turned the ball over three straight trips down the floor as the clock wound down. In the end, El Camino held on to defeat Ventura, 58-55.
Salazar was a perfect 3-3 on the night with a pair of treys for eight points with three assists. Talitha Draper also had a nice debut with eight points. Melissa Ohmie had four rebounds for VC.
The Pirates will play LA Valley on Friday Nov. 10 at the Wild West Shootout. The schedule, which is predetermined before the tournament, has the rematch of last season's SoCal Regional Final tipping off at 5:30 pm.