Reserves Play Key Role in Pirates' Come From Behind Victory

Rivalry games can produce interesting moments in a basketball game, and the VC-Moorpark series has had its share. Now add Saturday's contest at Raider Pavilion. Ventura fell behind 9-0 and 13-2 early in the game before reserves Nikki Puga and Talitha Draper led the Pirates back to a 21-21 tie at halftime. Ventura went on to score 12 of the first 14 points of the second half and held on to a 47-39 victory over Moorpark. Puga led the way with 17 points in the game, including a career-high five made 3-pointers.

Puga and Draper scored six of the Pirates' nine points in the first quarter, and all 12 points in the second period to lead the comeback for Ventura (16-6, 2-0). Puga hit four of her long-rangers in the opening 20 minutes of play and Draper had three key inside scores and three rebounds during the first half.

The Raiders scored the first nine points of the game and led 13-2 halfway through the opening stanza. Ventura misfired on its first seven shots before Davina Del Castillo rebounded her own miss and converted the offensive rebound for the Pirates' first score of the game. Kylie Vint broke a three-minute scoring drought for VC's second basket, and Puga's first triple made it 13-7 with 1:26 left in the period. MC made two free throws and Draper answered with an inside score to make it 15-9 at the quarter break.

Moorpark extended their lead to 17-9 at the 8:10 mark ofthe second quarter before Puga nailed another trey. MC made a charity toss to make it 18-12 before Puga nailed another from range and a deuce to close the Pirates to within one, 18-17, with 1:49 remaining. Draper followed that up with a score in the paint to give Ventura its first lead, and then answered a Raider 3-point play with another bucket before the half to tie the score at 21.

Avery Brunk hit a three from the left corner to begin the second half for Ventura, Jasmyne Martin score three consecutive buckets, and Puga hit again from three to put the Pirates ahead 33-23 with 5:36 left in the third quarter. The Raiders hung tough, however, hitting a three and a deuce before Del Castillo hit a pair of free throws. Moorpark netted two more scores before the end of the quarter as VC led 35-32 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

MC scored first in the final quarter, closing to within 35-34 before VC scored the next eight points of the game. Celeste Salazar converted a lay-up, then Puga nailed her fifth three of the game. Del Castillo followed up with an old-fashioned 3-point play and the Pirate advantage went back to nine, 43-34, with 6:29 left to play. At that point, the Ventura offense went cold, once again, but Moorpark could not muster the comeback. The raiders managed a pair of field goals to cut the VC lead to 43-38, but Martin's score with 1:39 remaining, and Del Castillo's score in the final minute sealed the deal. Ventura held on for the 47-38 victory.

Del Castillo finished with nine points and 20 big rebounds, a season-high and her second career 20+ rebound game. Martin had eight points, all coming in the second half, and Salazar finished with five boards, three assists  and two steals. Draper had six points and four rebounds and Puga added four caroms to her haul. 

Ventura will next host Oxnard on Wednesday Jan. 24 at 5:00 pm.  It will be VC's 11th Annual Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Game with activities beginning at 4:30pm at the Athletic Event Center. Tip-off with the Condors si slated for 5:00 pm.