An inspired opponent and an emotional letdown from a big game the night before could have been a bad recipe for the Ventura College women's basketball team Friday. Instead, the Pirates, who trailed LA Valley by 13 points with 5:26 left in the third quarter, outscored the Monarchs 17-5 in the final period for a 70-63 victory in the semifinals of the Buddy's All-Star Classic. Kenya Edelhart scored a career-high 30 points and Kylie Gallick totaled 26 points with 18 rebounds to lead Ventura (8-2) to the come-from-behind win.
VC, ranked No. 3 in Southern California, came into the game fresh off a hard-fought victory over No. 4 Long Beach on Thursday night. Valley, meanwhile, is coached by Pirate alumna Monica Hang '10, and is still close to the program 20 years after she completed a 3-peat state championship as VC's starting point guard. Hang had the Monarchs fully prepared and ready to take on her alma mater.
After Edelhart scored off a steal by Gallick early in the first quarter, LAVC scored eight unanswered points for the 8-2 lead four minutes into play. The Pirates came roaring back with a 3-point play by Edelhart, a bucket inside by Gallick, and a strong drive by Alisha Cruz-Lisberg. Ventura led 14-13 at the end of the opening period.
The teams had four ties and four lead changes in the first five minutes of the second stanza before LAVC began to take control. The Monarchs opened up a 39-27 advantage in the final minute of the half before Edelhart hit a three with four seconds remaining to pull Ventura within dingle digits, 39-30, at halftime.
After a Valley bucket to begin the third, Jocelyn Contreras hit a 3-pointer and Edelhart scored two after a steal by Jasmine Glover. the rally was short-lived, however, as LAVC opened up a 13-point margin, 51-38, with 5:26 remaining in the period. Gallick, Edelhart and Glover responded with made field goals followed by a Gallick free shot and a 3-pointer by Edelhart. The 10-0 run over 2:26 pulled the Pirates to within 51-48 before the Monarchs responded. LAVC scored seven straight for a 58-48 lead in the final minute of the quarter before Edelhart's lay-up and Glover's three closed the gap once again at the quarter break, 58-53.
The Monarchs hit a 3-pointer to open the final period, stretching their lead to eight points, 61-53. It was all Pirates after that as Edelhart and Gallick took over down the stretch. The pair combined for all 17 fourth-quarter points for Ventura as they outscored LA Valley 17-2 down the stretch to claim victory. Edelhart's lay-up at the 3:26 mark tied the game at 61 and Gallick nailed a pair of free throws with 2:40 on the clock to put VC ahead for good. Gallick hits six of seven shots at the foul line over the final 2:40 to seal the win.
Edelhart was 12-17 from the floor and 3-3 from beyond the arc en route to her 30-point performance. She becomes just the 21st player in program history to score 30 or more points in a game.
Gallick, meanwhile, continues her stellar season inside. She shot 9-12 from the floor and 8-10 at the free throw line for her 26 points and she grabbed 18 boards, her ninth double-double of the season.
Cruz-Lisberg finished with six points and four assists in the game and Glover scored five with a pair of blocks and a steal.
VC advances to the tournament championship game on Saturday Dec. 10. They will take on Cypress at 5:00 pm at LA Valley's South Gym in Valley Glen.