McIntyre's Near Triple-Double Paces VC Triumph

Sophomore guard Adrian McIntyre missed a triple-double by one rebound Wednesday, posting 22 points, 12 assists and nine boards leading the Pirates' men's basketball team to an 81-71 victory at Los Angeles Valley. Anthony Garza netted 17 points with eight caroms and Kai Johnson recorded 14 points as Ventura moved to 11-4 on the season.

The Monarchs held the upper hand early, building an advantage of 21-12 with 12:53 remaining in the first half. LAVC continued to lead 30-25 with 7:52 on the clock before the Pirates caught fire, going on a 17-2 run over the next five minutes of play. Johnson scored two free throws, then hit a 3-pointer to tie the game. After a LAVC bucket, Johnson hit another three, followed by an old-fashioned 3-point play by McIntyre. Johnson then assisted a McIntyre field goal from beyond the arc, and McIntyre hit another shot from range to extend the lead to 10, 42-32, with 2:53 remaining in the half. Ventura led 47-38 at halftime.

Garza, Marcus Watson and Tony Njia all scored early in the second half to quickly extend the Pirate margin to 15, 54-39. Watson had a steal and lay-up with 15:19 on the clock to make it a 21-point game, 61-40, and Max Kadlec's three maintained the 20-point cushion. Ventura led 81-60 on Kordell Gordon's 3-pointer at the 3:50 mark before LAVC scored the final 11 points to make the final score respectable.

Watson and Gordon each finished the game with eight points and Njia netted six in the effort.

The Pirates will break for the Christmas holiday before returning to action at Riverside on Friday Dec. 30.