Pirates Move to 6-1 with Win Against Lemoore

The VC men's basketball team moved to 6-1 on the young season with an 80-64 victory over Lemoore Saturday to close the Milt Stowe Classic at Porterville College. Jerimiyah Smith had another big game with 28 points and 11 rebounds while Christian Aukuso also produced a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Snookey Wigington netted 13 points with eight assists and Tong Tong tallied 11 with seven boards in the victory.

Both teams found points at a premium in the opening minutes as the Golden Eagles and Pirates were tied at 13 midway through the first half. Wigington and Dabe Princewill each scored lay-ups and Wigington assisted a 3-point play by Tong to answer a Lemoore field goal for a 20-15 edge two minutes later. Smith scored, Aukuso hit from range and Tong netted a putback to complete a 14-2 run as VC led 27-15 with 5:23 remaining in the first half. Ventura held off a mini run by the Eagles and led 34-26 at halftime.

Lemoore closed to within 38-34 two minutes into the second period before Smith hit a three and a two to extend the Pirate advantage. Wigington and Tong each hit buckets and Smith followed with a dunk to push the lead to 13, 49-36, with 14:22 remaining. Ventura maintained the double-digit margin for the rest of the contest, extending it to a game-high 22 points on Aukuso's lay-up at the 5:01 mark. Elijah Brown's lay-up set the final 80-64 margin.

Ventura next hosts Santa Monica on Wednesday Nov. 26 at 5:00 pm.