The VC men's basketball team outscored host Los Angeles Valley 9-2 in overtime Wednesday to claim an 83-76 victory over the Monarchs. Kevin Hymes led Ventura with 19 points and eight rebounds while Isaiah Dudley and Bo Dolinsek each totaled 14 points. Dolinsek added 10 boards for a double-double. Jeremiah Wilson tallied 11 points and Sky Clay added 10 as five Pirates reached double-figures in the triumph.
LAVC took a 13-8 lead five minutes into the game before an old-fashioned 3-point play by Hymes and a lay-up by Clay knotted the score with 13:52 remaining in the first half. The Monarchs retook a small advantage, however, and the Pirates trailed until Hymes' 3-pointer put Ventura ahead 31-30 at the 5:27 mark. Wilson hit a three and Dolinsek had a tip-in to complete a 15-0 Pirate run for a 39-30 margin with 3:02 remaining. Gerard Bolden finished the half with a triple and VC led 44-36 at intermission.
The teams traded scores early in the second half and Dolinsek's lay-up off an assist by Kam'Ron Cigar extended the VC margin to 49-40 three minutes into the period. LA Valley responded with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to close the gap. Dolinsek made a pair of free throws to end the skid and Ventura stretched the lead to 13, 60-47, on a 4-point play by Hymes at the 11:43 mark. LAVC gradually worked their way back into the game, however, and they tied the score at 64 with 4:45 on the clock.
Dudley's dunk with 3:00 remaining put VC back up by four, 68-64, and the Pirates led 74-69 in the final minute of play. The Monarchs scored a deuce and a trey on their next two possessions, however, sending the game to extra time.
The Pirates dominated overtime, scoring nine straight points before the Monarchs hit a bucket in the closing seconds of the 83-76 Ventura victory.
VC will return to play in 2025, opening Western State COnference North Division play on Wednesday Jan. 8 hosting Los Angeles Pierce COllege. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.