The Pirates had a solid defensive effort, but could not match it on the offensive end as they dropped the opening game of the Tom Gilcrest Invitational at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia 43-28 to Butte College. VC played with six healthy players due to injuries and family obligations, and the six played an even first half before finding the waters difficult to traverse in the second. Alyssandra Lacanilao had 10 points and Mya Victor pulled in 11 rebounds to lead Ventura.
VC got on the board quickly when Lacanilao nailed a three on the first possession of the game. After a pair of Roadrunner triples, Sofia Torres-Reyes tied the game with a shot from range, and a deuce by Kylie Gallick and another trey from Lacanilao gave the Pirates a 11-9 edge. Ventura led 13-12 at the quarter break on a lay-up by Victor.
Both teams struggled offensively in the second period, after eight quick points, Butte went the final 8:12 of the period without a score. Meanwhile, the Pirates could not capitalize on the drought as they went nearly five minutes without a tally between Maddie Ozbourn's inside bucket at the 8:24 mark and Gallick's charity toss with 3:51 remaining. Lacanilao made a jumper with 2:54 on the clock to tie the score at 20, and it remained so until intermission.
Ventura came out of the locker room cold, taking nearly five minutes to find a bucket, a mid-range jumper by Sam Martinez. They only trailed 26-22 at that point, however, as the defense was holding fast. Lacanilao made a jumper in the final minute of the period and VC was still within seven, 31-24, at the quarter break despite the offensive woes.
VC could not find the shooting touch in the final period, however, and the Roadrunners pulled away for the 43-28 win.
Torres-Reyes finished with seven points while Ozbourn and Martinez pulled in six and five rebounds, respectively.
Ventura will take the court again on Friday Dec. 3 in the bracket's consolation semifinals against LA Valley at 1:00 pm.