The VC women's basketball team dropped a 62-41 decision to the host team on the final day of the LA Valley Buddy's All-Star Classic on Saturday. Alyssandra Lacanilao had 16 points to lead the Pirates. Maddie Ozbourn scored eight points with eight rebounds and Sam Martinez added eight points with six boards for VC, who put forth their sixth different starting line-up in 12 games due to injuries. Sofia Torres-Reyes scored six points with eight rebounds in the game.
The Monarchs got off to a fast start, building a 10-2 lead with Ozbourn producing the lone field goal for Ventura in the opening minutes of play. VC came back strong with a pair of scores by Torres-Reyes and a bucket and two free throws by Ozbourn, along with a score by Martinez at the first quarter buzzer and the Pirates trailed 14-12.
Lacanilao hit a pair of 3-pointers for Ventura to open the second as they took an 18-17 lead at the 7:21 mark. Martinez made a putback and Torres-Reyes scored on a back-door cut from a pass by Ozbourn and the Pirate advantage was three, 22-19 midway through the stanza. VC went cold at that point, going five minutes without a score as LA Valley went on a 9-0 run to retake the lead. Martinez hit a three at the buzzer and Ventura trailed 28-25 at halftime.
Lacanilao opened the second half with another three to knot the score before the Monarchs took control of the game. LAVC went on a 10-0 run before Lacanilao struck again from range, then the Monarchs scored seven more for a 45-31 advantage at the three-minute mark. Lacanilao and Jasmine Glover followed with back-to-back three's to keep the Pirates in the game, and the Monarch scored a deuce to close the period with a 47-37 lead.
The Pirates, with their limited roster, ran out of gas down the stretch, making just four free throws over the final 10 minutes, dropping the tournament finale.
Ventura will next travel to Los Angeles Trade Tech on Thursday Dec. 16 for a 5:00 pm contest. They return home to face Glendale on Wednesday Dec. 22, also at 5:00 pm.