The VC men's basketball team used a balanced attack with five players in double-figures, holding off visiting Cuesta for a 71-69 victory Wednesday at the Athletic Event Center. Anthony McIntyre and Anthony Garza each scored 16 points to lead Ventura (16-2, 4-0) while Adrian McIntyre and Jelani Bell netted 12 each. Shulton Tobin recorded 11 points in the triumph for VC.
The Pirates got off to a fast start, answering the Cougars' opening bucket with a 12-0 run to open us early breathing room. Anthony Mc. hit a pair of three's followed by buckets from Tobin, Aaron Dawoodjee, and Adrian Mc. as VC opened the double-digit lead at the 14:36 mark. Ventura maintained the advantage to the mid-point of the first half before Cuesta worked their way back into the game. The Cougars outscored the Pirates 14-3 over the next eight-plus minutes of game time, taking a 26-25 lead over VC with 1:36 remaining. Tobin ended the skid with a triple and Garza scored twice in the final minute of play as Ventura led 32-26 at halftime.
Garza netted two more buckets in the opening minute of the second half, stretching the Ventura lead to seven, 36-29. Donavan Williams scored at the 13:29 mark to make it 44-36, and Anthony Mc. converted an offensive rebound to answer a Cougar score, preserving the eight-point margin. Cuesta turned things around, however, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers to go ahead with 10:02 remaining.
The game had nine lead changes and three ties down the stretch. Cuesta went ahead 51-49 before two trey's from Jelani Bell gave the Pirates the edge, 55-54 with 5:50 on the clock. The Cougars hit a three with 3:24 remaining to open up a 64-60 advantage before Anthony Mc. converted a 3-point play and Bell scored from range to put the Pirates ahead 66-64 a minute later. A Garza bucket and a three from Bell answered a Cougar triple, and the Pirates survived a missed free throw and Cuesta's final 3-point attempt in the closing seconds to preserve the victory.
Anthony Mc. added 13 rebounds to his 16 points and Garza also posted a double-double with 11 boards added to his 16 points. Adrian Mc. added five rebounds and three assists to the effort.
Ventura next hosts Santa Barbara on Saturday Jan. 29 for a 5:00 pm contest at the Athletic Event Center.