Men's Basketball Comes From Behind to Defeat MSJC

The VC men's basketball team came back from as much as a 16-point deficit early in the second half to defeat Mt. San Jacinto 84-78 Wednesday in their opening game of the Hypland Classic at Riverside City College. The Pirates trailed by 10 points with 5:47 remaining in the game before closing the contest with a 24-6 run against the Eagles. Jerimiyah Smith continued his hot streak with 31 points and 14 rebounds while Snookey Wigington had 14 points with 10 assists and five steals in the victory.

The Pirates jumped out to a 7-0 lead early with scores from Christian Aukuso, Baron Bellamy and Kevin Anigbogu. Mt. San Jacinto came roaring back, however, scoring the next 12 points to hold a five point advantage with 14:34 remaining in the first half. The Eagles held onto the lead from that point forward, slowly moving it to double-digits, 36-26, at the 5:50 mark of the period. Kam'Ron Cigar hit a jumper to pull VC to within five, 41-36, with 2:45 on the clock, but MSJC scored the final six points of the stanza as the Pirates trailed at halftime, 47-36.

Ventura's deficit swelled to 16 points. 52-36, less than two minutes into the second half. Smith scored on a pair of lay-ups to cut into the margin, but the Eagles were still able to keep control and maintain the double-digit lead. Wigington's deuce cut the lead to six, 60-54, with 11:24 remaining, but again MSJC was able to recover and expand their advantage. The Eagles still held a 72-62 lead with 5:47 left to play.

After Bellamy hit one of two free throws, Smith completed an old-fashioned 3-point play with an assist by Wigington, and then made two free throws. Bellamy had a steal that resulted in another Wigington to Smith connection at the 4:18 mark, and two charity tosses by Wigington completed a 10-0 Pirate run with 3:26 on the clock, knotting the score at 72. Wigington answered a 3-point play by MSJC with two foul shots and Smith had a putback for two to give Ventura the lead, 76-75, with 1:40 left. Smith was 5-6 from the foul line in the final minute, and Cigar made three of four free throws to ice the win for the Pirates.

Smith was 11-14 from the floor and 8-12 at the free throw line to score his 31 points, and Wigington hit all eight of his free shots for his 12 points. Cigar finished with 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Aukuso had 10 points in the game. 

Ventura continues play in the Hypland Classic on Thursday Dec. 4 against San Bernardino Valley. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 pm.