Hot-shooting Ventura powers past Cuesta 114-101

The VC men's basketball team rode a dominant first-half surge and a highly efficient shooting performance to a 114-101 road victory over Cuesta on Saturday in San Luis Obispo. Jerimiyah Smith had an outstanding performance with 28 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to lead the way while Kam'Ron Cigar totaled 24 points in the triumph. WIth the win, the Pirates clinched at least a share of the Western State Conference title.

The Pirates (23-3, 10-0) seized control early, outscoring Cuesta 57-44 in the opening 20 minutes and never relinquishing the advantage. Ventura and Cuesta played even the rest of the way, each scoring 57 points in the second half.

Ventura's offense was sharp from start to finish, shooting 60 percent from the field (42-for-70) and 45.5 percent from 3-point range (10-for-22). The Pirates also generated a 30-24 edge on the glass, including 13 offensive rebounds.

Smith was nearly automatic inside the arc, going 13-for-15 from the field. Cigar's scoring punch for VC came on the strength of an 8-for-11 shooting performance from the floor including 2-for-4 from beyond the arc and 5-for-6 at the line. Kevin Anigbogu added 17 points, six rebounds and a block on 6-for-10 shooting, giving Ventura a strong interior presence to complement its perimeter efficiency. Snookey Wigington and Baron Bellamy added 18 and 11 points, respectively.

VC will make its final regular season home appearance on Wednesday Feb. 18, hosting Allan Hancock at 5:00 pm.