Pirates' Hot Shooting Propels Win Over Santa Barbara

The VC men's basketball team built a big first-half cushion and then leaned on efficient shooting and timely stops late to secure a 93-83 home win over Santa Barbara on Saturday. Jerimiyah Smith led five Pirates in double figures with 22 points while Snookey Wigington and Kam'Ron Cigar each totaled 17. Kevin Anigbogu and Baron Bellamy netted 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The Pirates (22-3, 9-0) shot an outstanding 67 percent from the field and used a 55-point first half to withstand a strong second-half push from Santa Barbara, which poured in 45 points after the break but could not erase the early deficit.

The decisive stretch came in the first half when VC's offense clicked from all levels. The state No. 7-ranked Pirates outscored SBCC 55-38 before halftime, carving up the defense in the paint and building a 17-point advantage that defined the game. Ventura repeatedly attacked the rim and converted high-percentage looks, finishing with 64 points in the paint in the contest and produced a 28-20 edge on the glass that set the tone on both ends.

Smith anchored Ventura's attack, posting a game-high line of 22 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes of play. Smith was efficient at 9-for-15 from the field, added three assists and went 3-for-6 at the free-throw line, consistently finishing around the rim and helping control the boards. His presence inside was central to Ventura's dominance in the paint and its ability to maintain control when the Vaqueros tried to shift momentum.

Ventura also received a major boost from point guard Wigington, who recorded 17 points and a game-high 10 assists in 36 minutes, shooting 7-for-12 from the floor and 3-for-7 from 3-point range. He added four steals, sparking transition opportunities that contributed to Ventura's 20 fast-break points and 20 points off turnovers. The Pirates finished with 24 assists on 40 made field goals, showcasing a balanced, unselfish offense.

With the victory, Ventura showcased a potent offensive profile built on efficiency, interior scoring and ball movement, while also forcing 14 turnovers and generating 10 steals on the defensive end. 

VC now holds a two-game lead in the Western State Conference North Division race wit hthree games remaining. They can claim a share o fthe conference title next time out on Saturday Feb. 14 at Cuesta College. Tip-off in San Luis obispo is scheduled for 1:00 pm.