The VC men's basketball team turned in a dominant performance, defeating Los Angeles PIerce 85-45 Wednesday in Woodland Hills. Caleb Gilbert led the effort for VC (13-13, 6-4) with 25 points and 15 rebounds while Reese Widerburg and Carter Alexander recorded 17 and 16 points, respectively. Beckham Rutherford came off the bench to score 10 points and Dominik Contreras grabbed seven boards in a reserve role.
Ventura led 15-11 midway through the first half when Gilbert's offensive rebound and putback began an 11-0 Pirate run. Alexander hit a jumper off a Derrick Young pass on the next possession, and Contreras dropped a dime to Gilbert for a lay-up the next time down the floor. Widerburg hit from three at the 8:02 mark and Gilbert converted another offensive board for a 26-11 advantage a minute later. Widerburg's triple late in the period made it 35-21 for VC at halftime.
Gilbert's dunk started a 16-0 Pirate run to start the second half as Ventura held the Brahmas scoreless for nearly five minutes of play. Widerburg assisted a Gilbert three on the next possession, and Gilbert scored his eighth straight point with a lay-up following a steal by Vernon Henry. Alexander cashed in Gilbert's assist for three to make it 45-21 at the 18:05 mark then Henry scored a lay-up. Gilbert then scored two free throws and another lay-up to complete the run for a 51-21 Pirate margin with 15:54 left to play.
Alexander had a steal and lay-up to extend the lead to 40, 65-25, with 12:47 on the clock, and the Pirates maintained the lead until the end of the contest.
VC next travels to Santa Barbara on Saturday Feb. 17 for a 3:00pm match-up with the Vaqueros.