Men's Basketball Drops Close Decision in Tourney Finale

Playing for the third day in a row in the season-opening tournament, the VC men's basketball team and San Diego Miramar battled fatigue as well as each other as the Jest prevailed over the Pirates 58-55 Saturday afternoon at the Athletic Event Center. Reese Widerburg netted 12 points to lead VC while Mykayle McCoy added 11 points and nine rebounds to the effort.

Both offenses found the sailing difficult in the early going McCoy's free throw with 14:32 remaining in the first half evened the score at 3-3. Kai Johnson and Widerburg hit back-to-back field goals for a 7-3 Prate lead and two more McCoy charity shots gave Ventura the 11-8 edge midway through the half. 

Dominik Contreras and Blake Berry hit a bucket and free throw, respectively, to make it 15-13 for VC at the 7:35 mark and McCoy made two more free shots two minutes later for the 18-14 Pirate margin. Derrick Young made a free throw at the 1:15 mark and Berry's 3-pointer gave VC a 26-21 lead at halftime.

The Jets quickly tied the game at 26 following intermission, but Caleb Gilbert answered with an old fashioned 3-point play to reestablish the Pirate lead. Gilbert then made a lay-up and Berry hit for three to extend VC to a 34-24 advantage with 13:29 on the clock. 

Miramar answered with a 9-0 run to take a 36-34 lead before Widerburg's shot from range and Young's inside bucket put Ventura back ahead 39-36. The Jets again came back with a 5-0 run for a 41-39 advantage with 8:47 remaining and the Pirates would not lead again in the game.

The contest was tied at 43 and 48, but VC was unable to go in front down the stretch in the narrow defeat.

Ventura had a difficult night from the floor, shooting 37 percent, 18-49, including a 4-22 performance form 3-point land. The game was also marred by 49 combined fouls with neither team having an advantage at the free throw line. Miramar ended the night shooting 46 percent from the floor, 19-41.

The Pirates next travel to the Irvine Valley Classic on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9-10. They will take on the host Lasers on Thursday at 7:00 pm.