The Pirates' women's basketball team struggled at times, but still fought to the end in their 73-63 non-conference loss to Long Beach Monday at the Athletic Event Center. Alexa Coubal had another double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds and Sam McKenzie contributed 17 points, four boards and four steals. Tiernan Phillips turned in 14 points and grabbed nine caroms in the make-up date against the Vikings from Dec. 16.
Things got off to a good start as the Pirates took the early lead when Daphné LeBrun hit McKenzie for a lay-up for the first score of the game. Coubal hit two free throws on the next trip down the floor and the Pirates gained the early advantage. Elena Ferrara's drive and lay-up made it 8-4 for Ventura with 3:55 remaining in the first quarter and McKenzie hit a pull-up jumper for an 11-6 lead at the end of the period.
Phillips and Coubal sandwiched a pair of close scores around a LBCC bucket and VC was ahead 15-7 less than a minute into the second stanza. The Vikings caught fire at that point, however, scoring the next six points before LeBrun's steal and lay-up at the 5:12 mark ended the skid. Long Beach took a 21-19 advantage a minute later before McKenzie hit three of four free throws on consecutive possessions to put the Pirates back on top. Aliah Jackson assisted a lay-up by Alexis Howery for a 26-25 VC lead with 1:39 on the clock before Long beach scored the final four points of the half to hold a 29-26 margin at intermission.
Ventura came out flat to start the third quarter, and the Vikings took full advantage. They outscored the Pirates 15-6 over the first six minutes of the period, with Coubal making a pair of free throws and two close shots to keep VC in the game. After Phillips hit consecutive shots in the next minute, Ventura only trailed 44-36 with 2:58 remaining in the stanza. Long Beach kept the pressure up, however, and Phillips still managed to score another bucket and two foul shots to keep VC within 52-40 heading to the final 10 minutes.
LBCC scored six straight points to open the final period before the Pirates began to show some signs of life. LeBrun scored a lay-up and Coubal scored a 3-point play to pull VC back to within 58-45 at the 7:29 mark. Howery made two charity shots and Phillips converted one of two at the line to make it a 10-point game, 58-48, with 6:01 remaining. LeBrun scored four straight, and McKenzie cashed in a dime from Phillips as the Pirates pulled to within 60-54 at the 3:54 mark. McKenzie followed with a steal and lay-up to make it 60-56, but Long Beach responded with a 6-0 run to reestablish control. The Pirates never got close again, despite their best efforts in the final minute, falling 73-63.
Leslie Salazar grabbed five rebounds off the bench for Ventura, who outrebounded the Vikings in the game, 36-35. VC was also a solid 17-22 at the free throw line as a team, but 21 turnovers and an 0-21 shooting night from behind the arc hurt the Pirates' chances for victory in their final non-conference game of the season.
Ventura resumes Western State Conference North Division game at Allan Hancock College on Wednesday Jan. 31. Tip-off in Santa Maria is scheduled for 7:00 pm.