On the strength of Mya Victor's double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, the VC women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the LA Valley Buddy's All-Star Classic with a 48-44 victory over Fullerton on Thursday. The VC sophomore also added five blocked shots to the effort and Alyssandra Lacanilao handed out a career-high seven assists in the win.
Both teams struggled offensively in a close opening quarter. The Pirates opened up an early 4-0 lead on field goals from Maddie Ozbourn and Victor, but the Hornets came back to hold a 5-4 edge. The teams traded buckets before Victor hit a jumper to give Ventura an 8-7 margin after the first quarter of play.
Fullerton opened up a 15-10 advantage with 6:27 remaining in the first half before the Pirates came storming back with a 13-2 run. Lacanilao began the streak with a 3-pointer off a pass from Sea'Ana Egizi and Sofia Torres-Reyes followed with a strong drive for two on the next possession. Sam Martinez and Victor each made on of two free throws before Egizi sandwiched a pair of 3-pointers around two Hornet free throws for a 23-17 lead for the Pirates with 1:02 on the clock. Ventura held a 23-18 lead at halftime.
The second half belonged to Victor as she had 14 points and eight rebounds after intermission. She scored the Pirates first eight points of the third quarter for VC, and Martinez's lay-up following a steal and assist by Lacanilao completed a 10-2 run by the Pirates making the score 33-22 with 3:09 remaining in the stanza. Victor scored again off Torres-Reyes' dime in the final minute of the quarter for a 35-27 lead for Ventura at the quarter break.
VC maintained the advantage for the first part of the final period, but the Hornets closed to within one possession, 39-36, midway through the period. Victor and Torres-Reyes made buckets to expand the margin, but a pair of Fullerton 3-pointers sandwiched around two free throws by Ozbourn pulled the Hornets back to within three, 45-42, with 1:07 left to play. Ozbourn made a big shot with 37 seconds remaining, and Martinez sealed the win with a late free throw for the 48-44 win.
Ozbourn added eight points and seven boards while Egizi had six points in the game. Torres-Reyes handed out four assists in the victory.
Ventura moves on to the tournament semifinals on Friday Dec. 10. They will tip-off against Mt. San Antonio at 5:00 pm in Valley Glen.