VC Men Win Showdown at Cuesta, Move Alone to First Place

The VC men's basketball team responded to the challenge Wednesday night, handing the Cuesta Cougars a 79-68 defeat on their home floor to climb alone into first place in the Western State Conference North Division race. Isiah Reyes poured in 30 points, including a perfect 14-14 night at the charity stripe, to lead the Pirates (15-11, 6-1). Cordel Hankerson had 21 points in the victory and Vida Faniel turned in another double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Pirates got off to a good start early, going ahead 9-4 on Trevor LaCount's sprint to the rim and lay-up at the 16:34 mark. VC took advantage of Cuesta's double team of Faniel with solid ball movement and another LaCount bucket to make it 11-7 with 13:37 remaining in the first half. Reyes entered the game soon thereafter and he and Hankerson powered a Pirate surge that lead to a 28-19 advantage with 8:23 on the clock, prompting a Cuesta timeout.

Eddie Cowan turned in a made jumper and Reyes assisted a field goal from Ryan Sells to make it 32-22, and Reyes went coast to coast for the lay-up for a 40-29 advantage in the final minute. Cuesta was able to make some free throws down the stretch to close to within 40-32 at halftime.

Both teams went cold midway through the second half, but the Pirates were able to keep the Cougars at arm's length. Hankerson hit a triple, followed by a jump hook from Faniel and a Reyes deuce made it 52-45 with 11:53 remaining in the game. Reyes and Hankerson continued to make clutch shots down the stretch to maintain the Pirate advantage, and augment it back to double-figures, 67-57, with 3:34 on the clock.  VC made free throws down the stretch to post the 79-68 victory.

The Pirates next head to Moorpark on Saturday Feb. 11 for a 1:00 pm meeting with the Raiders. the game can be seen live on the VC Sports Network.