Lumas, Pirate Defense Lift Ventura Past Oxnard

The VC women's basketball team used a decisive fourth-quarter surge and a strong night from Kayla Lumas to pull away for a 55–46 road victory at Oxnard Friday. Clinging to a three-point lead after three quarters, the Pirates closed with a 16–10 advantage in the final 10 minutes to secure the win. Lumas netted 23 points on the night to lead the effort in the regular season finale.

Lumas powered Ventura with a game-high point total, adding five rebounds and two assists while knocking down three 3-pointers. The Pirates also received a double-double from Charnelle Nichols, who finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and a near double-double from point guard Riannah Lopez, who totaled nine points, nine rebounds and four assists. Sienna Angell totaled eight points and nine boards in the contest.

Ventura established early control with a 19–15 lead after the first quarter, then clamped down defensively in the second. The VC held the Condors to just four points in the second quarter, stretching the margin to 28–19 at halftime.

Oxnard responded after the break, using a 17–11 third-quarter run to trim Ventura's lead to 39–36 heading into the fourth.

The Pirates reasserted themselves in the final quarter, combining timely perimeter shooting with pressure defense to put the game away. VC outscored the Condors 16–10 over the last 10 minutes, capitalizing on OC miscues and closing possessions on the defensive glass. The Pirates turned 19 Oxnard turnovers into 25 points on the night.

Second-chance opportunities also favored the Pirates, who collected 13 second-chance points and 16 offensive rebounds. The Pirates finished 10 of 13 at the free-throw line (76.9 percent). 

With the win, VC closes the regular season at 15-13 overall and 8-4 in Western State Conference North Division play. The Pirates finished in third place in the conference and await a likely road playoff match-up on Wednesday Feb. 25.