VC sophomore Alexa Coubal scored 20 points on 7-9 shooting from the floor and a 6-8 performance at the free throw line, and she added eight rebounds, but it was not enough as the Pirates' women's basketball team fell short at Santa Barbara Wednesday, 70-55. Sam McKenzie netted 17 points with eight boards while Danielle Salazar and Alanna Topete scored eight and seven points, respectively. Charnelle Nichols pulled in eight caroms.
The opening period was nip-and-tuck as the Pirates and Vaqueros traded baskets. After SBCC took a 9-5 advantage, VC scored five straight points. Coubal's bucket with 4:01 left in the quarter gave the Pirates a 10-9 advantage. The score was 14-14 at the end of the first.
McKenzie assisted a lay-up by Coubal to start the second quarter and Ventura held a slight edge. Santa Barbara went on a 7-1 run at that point, however, and led 21-17 when Coubal's free throw at the 6:46 mark gave a brief respite. SBCC continued with a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to hold a 30-20 lead with 4:38 remaining. Salazar, Topete, Coubal and McKenzie all scored down the stretch for VC as they trailed 35-28 at halftime.
Coubal was 5-6 from the free throw line early in the third and Salazar's bucket at the 5:45 mark pulled VC to within 40-35. Coubal scored a lay-up and Topete hit one of two free shots to complete a 9-0 run for the Pirates, pulling VC to within a bucket, 40-38. After a Vaquero basket, McKenzie hit one of two free throws, then cashed in Coubal's dime for two to pull VC to within 44-43 with 1:44 on the clock. The Pirates trailed 48-45 headed to the final period.
Topete assisted a deuce by Coubal and a three from McKenzie to keep Ventura close early in the fourth, 53-50, with 6:04 left to play. Santa Barbara went on a 12-3 run over the next four minutes, however, to put the game away.
The Piartes have a by this coming weekend and will travel to Cuesta on Wednesday Jan. 22 for a 5:00 pm game with the Cougars.