VC Women Fall to Moorpark in Season Finale

The Pirates' women's basketball team fell to visiting Moorpark 72-39 Friday night at the Athletic Event Center in the regular season finale. Victoria Maciel led VC with 14 points and five rebounds while Cece Quintino netted 11 points in the defeat. Madison Cvijanovich pulled in seven rebounds.

After the Raiders opened the game with a bucket, Quintino hit a long three for a 3-2 Pirate lead. MC countered with two buckets to take the lead for good as Ventura struggled to find its offensive rhythm. The Pirates trailed 16-6 late in the first quarter when Quintino hit a bucket and Maciel followed with a steal then basket off a Talia Taufaasau assist. Ventura trailed 16-11 at the end of the first quarter. 

After a Moorpark three to open the second quarter, Cvijanovich hit from range and Maciel connected on a jumper off a Quintino dime for a 19-16 score at the 6:39 mark. Taufaasau hit a lay-up for a 22-18 deficit before Moorpark took control with a 12-0 run to end the half. Ventura trailed 32-18 at intermission.

VC's offensive struggles continued in the second half as it took nearly five minutes for them to hit a field goal, Maciel's 3-pointer for a 44-22 score. The Pirates were never able to make a run on the top-ranked Raiders as they fell by the final 72-39 margin.

Ventura now awaits their seeding in the CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoffs. Indications are that VC will open the playoffs on Friday March 1 against an opponent to be determined. Playoff seedings will be released Monday Feb. 25.