Williams Leads Ventura to WSC-Opening Victory

Pirate freshman John Williams scored a game-high 24 points, 20 of them coming in the second half, as the Ventura College men's basketball team opened Western State Conference North Division play with a 77-67 victory over visiting Allan Hancock College Saturday at the Athletic Event Center. Williams also grabbed eight rebounds, and Jacob Alonzo had eight assists with eight boards. Isiah Reyes turned in 17 points for VC (13-7, 1-0) in the win.

The first half was a balanced effort for the Pirates with six different players totaling 4-6 points each. After the Bulldogs got on the board first, Isaac Ramirez drained a three off a Williams dime to give Ventura the lead for good. Darrell Handy-Johnson followed with a lay-up off Alonzo's assist and the Pirates were rolling. They slowly pulled away until an 12-2 run midway through the first half blew the game open. Leading 17-10 with 10:41 remaining in the opening period, Reyes connected on a drive and score, followed by a steal and lay-up by Alonzo. Reyes made another lay-up and Darrell H-J converted inside for a 25-10 lead with 7:56 on the clock. Following a Bulldog field goal, Alonzo drained a pair of charity tosses and Lamont Landers made a jumper to put the Pirates ahead 29-12. AHC made a run toward the end of the half, but Ventura still led 34-26 at halftime.

The Bulldogs continued to close in to start the second half, scoring a pair of buckets. Darrell H-J made a free throw to stop the run, then finished the Alley-oop slam dunk from Alonzo to stretch the advantage back to 37-30. At that point, Williams took over the game, scoring 16 of the Pirates' next 20 points, and assisting on another deuce. By the time he was done, Ventura led 57-47 with 10:17 left to play in the game. With the 'Dogs closing in, Darrell H-J connected for a pair of field goals, and Reyes splashed a triple and hit two charity tosses. Williams' lay-up at the 4:47 mark made it 69-60, and Reyes netted six of the final eight VC points, with the other two going to Williams. Ventura held on for the 77-67 victory.

Darrell H-J finished with 12 points and five rebounds in the game and Williams added four steals.

Ventura is next scheduled to travel to San Luis Obispo on Wednesday Jan. 16 to take on Cuesta College.  However, due to travel conditions, there is a possibility that game could be rescheduled. Pleae check www.VCweplayhard.com  or twitter @vcpiratesmbb for all the latest men's basketball scheduling information.