Jasmyne Martin had her best night of the season, hitting nine of 10 shots in the first half en route to a game-high 23 points, leading the Pirates to a 60-38 win over Allan Hancock College at the Athletic Event Center. Davina Del Castillo added 11 points and eight rebounds and Celeste Salazar handed out four assists in the Pirates' Western State Conference North Division opener. After the game, the Pirates honored their Favorite Teachers for 2018.
Salazar dropped dimes on the Pirates' first two scores, a three from Martin and a bucket from Kylie Vint and VC (15-6, 1-0) was off to an early 5-2 lead. Martin followed with a stale and a lay-up, another triple from Del Castillo's assist, and a mid-range jumper, also from a Del Castillo helper, and Ventura led 12-4 with 5:42 left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs did manage to close to within 16-13 late in the period, but a pair of free throws by Vint made it a five-point game at the quarter break.
Martin went on a personal 8-0 run to start the second quarter, moving the Pirates to a 26-13 lead at the 6:36 mark. Elissa Root answered a Hancock her own shot from range, and Del Castillo and Martin scored back-to back for a 33-16 score with 4:22 remaining. After a Bulldog three, both teams went cold until Nikki Puga drove for a lay-up in the final minute of the half, giving the Pirates a 35-19 margin at intermission.
Ventura put the game away early in the third quarter, starting with a 7-0 run. Salazar hit a drive and score, followed by two charity shots by Alaina Garcia. Talitha Draper followed with an old-fashioned 3-point play and Ventura led 42-19 at the 4:32 mark. Del Castillo hot a triple off Root's dime to close the period and VC led 49-29 after three.
The Pirates continued their solid play through the final stanza, beginning with another 3-pointer by Martin. Vint hit a short jumper from a Martin helper, and Del Castillo also scored another deuce. Salazar's lay-up and two free shots by Vint closed the scoring in the 60-38 victory.
Vint ended with eight points and four rebounds while Del Castillo added three assists and two steals.
The Pirates are scheduled to travel to Cuesta College on Wednesday Jan. 16, but road conditions could force a postponement of that contest. Check back to www.VCweplayhard.com or to the women's basketball twitter, @VCwbbWPH, for the latest in scheduling details for the upcoming games.