The VC women's basketball team dropped a 63-48 decision to Long Beach Thursday afternoon in the opining game of the Buddy's All-Star Classic at Los Angeles Valley College. Sam McKenzie scored 14 points with six rebounds, two assists and four steals. Tiernan Phillips, meanwhile netted nine points with nine boards and Daphné LeBrun posted wight points in the effort.
The Vikings jumped on the Pirates early, outscoring Ventura 14-6 in the opening five minutes of the game hitting seven of their first eight shots. VC remained in the hunt, however, pulling back to within 14-11 on Mykah Johnson's 3-point play, and 16-14 on a 3-pointer by LeBrun. LBCC outexecuted the Pirates in the final minute of the period, however, and held a 20-14 advantage at the quarter break.
The Pirates' deficit grew to 11 points early in the second period before a LeBrun three and a Phillips free throw and field goal closed the gap once again. The Vikings once again scored twice in the closing minute of the stanza to take a 31-24 lead into halftime.
Ventura struggled to gain any traction in the second half as the fell behind by as many as 18 points, 48-30, with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter. McKenzie sandwiched a pair of lay-ups around a jumper by Aliah Jackson, then hit two free throws as VC went on an 8-0 run, but Long Beach hand an answer with a 6-2 run crossing the end of the third period into the start of the fourth. The Pirates were unable to put together another charge in the 63-28 setback.
Johnson had a solid evening with five points and six rebounds and Jackson also had a good effort with her points and some strong defense.
Ventura next will take on Cypress on Friday Dec. 8 at 1:00 pm in the consolation semifinals in the LA Valley tournament.