VC Falls in AVC Tournament Semifinals

For the second time this year, the Pirates' men's basketball team put up a good fight against Antelope Valley, only to have the game end in defeat.  Saturday in the semifinals of the Gregg Anderson Memorial Tournament, VC had the lead at halftime but could not make it hold up as the Marauders came back for the 76-67 win.  Calvin Young had 19 points and Vida Faniel scored 12 with five rebounds to lead Ventura (7-5).

The game was close in the opening 10 minutes of play with five ties and five lead changes. Ventura opened up some space with a Thomas Frank 3-pointer and a Faniel jumper, making the score 24-18 with 9:38 on the clock. The Pirates maintained the advantage throughout most of the remainder of the period, and went up by seven at the 3:52 mark, 35-28, on a triple from Young and a lay-up by Ryan Sells.  AVC scored the next seven points, however, tying the game at 35 before Sells converted a pair of free throws to give VC the 37-35 halftime edge.

Ventura was unable to maintain the lead early in the second half.  Eddie Cowan's jumper tied the score at 41-41 with 16:37 remaining before the Marauders took the lead for good.  VC hung tough, with two free throws by Young at the 9:09 mark to close to within 53-51, and a jumper by Faniel to make it a 61-60 game with 5:24 remaining.  The Pirates did not have enough to get over the hump, however, as Isiah Reyes 3-pointer with 3:47 on the clock to make the score 65-63 would be their final field goal of the contest.  The Pirates fell by a final score of 76-67.

Frank ended the contest with nine points and Trevor LaCount led VC on the glass with seven rebounds.  Reyes had eight points and two assists and Cordel Hankerson also handed out a pair of dimes.

The Pirates move to the 3rd place game of the tournament on Sunday Dec. 4.  They will take on San Bernardino Valley at 3:00 pm.