Men's Cagers Fall Short at Riverside

The VC men's basketball team returned to action after an extended Thanksgiving break, dropping an 88-73 decision at Riverside Wednesday on the first day of the Hypland Classic. Jeremiah Wilson led the way for Ventura (6-6) with 19 points and five rebounds while Isaiah Dudley and Kam'Ron Cigar added 14 and 13 points, respectively. K. Cigar also dished out a team-best three assists.

Wilson hit a quick three and Bo Dolinsek hot a pair of free throws as the Pirates went  ahead 5-1 in the opening minutes. RCC came back strong, however, scoring the next 10 points before Wilson hit again from distance and Dudley had a steal and a dunk to make it 11-10 for the Tigers with 15:06 left in the first half. Riverside responded with a two and a three to reestablish control that they maintained throughout the remainder of the contest. Wilson's lay-up was VC's only score during a 14-2 run before Dudley made a jumper and Wilson sank three free throws to pull the Pirates back to within 25-17 with 10:13 on the clock.

K. Cigar made one of two free shots and Wilson had a steal and dunk to make it 27-24 for RCC and Nathan Cigar nailed a long-range bomb on the next possession to answer a Riverside triple to maintain the deficit at the 7:14 mark. Dudley's old-fashioned 3-point play in the final minute of the half sent the Pirates into intermission down 42-38.

While the Pirates kept things close in the second half, the Tigers always seemed to have an answer. K. Cigar hit from range at the 17:09 mark to pull VC to within 47-44 and Dolinsek hit a pair of charity shots to close the gap to 48-46 a minute later. Ventura had a pair of possessions on which they could tie the score or go ahead, but they came up empty on both trips down the floor. Riverside maintained their lead for the remainder of the game posting the 88-73 final.

Ventura will return to Riverside on Saturday Dec. 7 to take on San Bernardino Valley before returning home on Tuesday Dec. 10 to take on Bakersfield.