Ventura Defeats Cuesta for 4th Straight Win

Kenya Edelhart had her second-straight 20-point performance and Alyssandra Lacanilao hit four 3-pointers as the Pirates' women's basketball team won its fourth straight game Wednesday, 62-46 over Cuesta at the Athletic Event Center. Mya Victor recorded a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds and Sofia Torres-Reyes added eight points. Kylie Gallick pulled in nine boards for the Pirates (9-10, 4-1).

After Gallick scored on the opening possession of the game, the Pirates hit one of their next eight shots, an Edelhart three, as they fell behind 12-5 with 3:32 remaining in the first period. Gallick hit one of two free shots, Edelhart pulled up for a deuce, then hit one of two free throws and VC trailed 14-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Cuesta stretched the lead to seven points 16-9, early in the second before Victor hit a pair of free throws, Edelhart scored on a drive, and Lacanilao hit from range to tie the game at 16 at the 7:35 mark. The Cougars answered with a bucket on the next possession, then VC scored seven straight, a jumper by Maddie Ozbourn, a pull-up by Edelhart and another triple from Lacanilao, to take a 25-18 advantage with 3:57 remaining. The Pirates led 27-25 at halftime.

Ventura scored five straight to open the second half, extending their lead to 32-25 before the Cougars managed their first score of the period at the 6:37 mark. Torres-Reyes hit from range with 4:50 on the clock, and Lacanilao assisted a lay-up by Edelhart for a 37-28 advantage. Victor and Edelhart combined for the final nine points of the stanza, opening up a 46-33 lead headed to the final 10 minutes of play.

Victor's putback and Ozbourn's inside score opened the final period, and Lacanilao scored another three with 6:45 left to stretch the lead to 21, 56-35. Ventura rode the momentum the rest of the way, posting the 62-46 home win.

VC also observed their 14th Annual Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Game. While there were no live events associated with the game this year, fans were, and are encouraged to donate to the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation by logging onto the RoL website giving page, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4NAWERLQCM74A, or giving through the team's Facebook Fundraiser, https://www.facebook.com/donate/518084806157659/.

The Pirates next open up a home-and-home set with Santa Barbara on Saturday Jan. 29. Tip-off at the Athletic Event Center is slated for 7:00 pm.  The two teams will then meet 48 hours later on Monday Jan. 31 in Santa Barbara.