The VC men's basketball team defeated Pasadena City College 92-84 Saturday afternoon to win the consolation championship of the We Play Hard Tip Off Tournament sponsored by the James Ennis Foundation at the Athletic Event Center. All-tournament selection Isiah Reyes led a balanced scoring effort with 23 points, three rebounds and two steals while Jacob Alonzo had 22 points with five assists, five thefts and four boards. Malcolm Ruff had 17 points and John Williams totaled 15 points for the Pirates (2-1).
Ventura used an 11-2 run midway through the first half to take control of the game, changing a 7-6 deficit into a 17-9 advantage. Reyes hit three of four free throws, the first at the 15:32 mark of the half, to being the run, and Williams hit a 3-pointer with 13:06 remaining. Following a PCC deuce, Williams connected on a jumper and anpother trey to put VC ahead 17-9 with 11:31 on the clock.
The Lancers battled back to within two points three minutes later, but Ruff scored four consecutive with two charity tosses and a bucket to hold them back. Alonzo hit for an old-fashioned 3-point play to extend the VC lead to 29-21 at the 5:32 mark, and a Reyes steal lay-up made it 31-21 on the next possession.
The Pirate advantage extended to 15 points, 36-21, on Alonzo's 3-pointer with 3:22 on the clock, and Ventura led 42-29 at intermission.
Ruff hit a triple to begin the second half, and another 3-point play from Alonzo made it 50-33 with 16:48 left in the contest. Pasadena then began a steady comeback, closing to within 58-52 at the 11:34 mark. The Lancers whittled VC's lead to three points, 67-64 when Taylor Sturgeon nailed a big three from the right wing with 7:24 remaining. Alonzo followed with a pair of free shots and Williams hit for five straight to extend the advantage back to double-digits, 77-67 at the 6:17 mark. Alonzo's 3-pointer almost sealed the deal on the next possession. Pasadena continued the fight, closing to within five, 82-77, but the Pirates were able to hold them off to claim the 92-84 win.
Williams added a game-high eight rebounds to his 15 points and Terrell Handy-Johnson had seven points and seven boards.
Ventura next travels to the Jonathan Wallace Memorial Tournament at Ohlone College in Fremont. VC will take on Monterey Peninsula College on Thursday Nov. 9 at 1:00 pm.
(Left) The Pirates accept their consolation championship trophy from Ventura College Athletic Director Will Cowen.
(Right) All-Tournament selection Isiah Reyes with Will Cowen