Ventura Doubles-Up Brahmas

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL:  The Ventura College women's basketball team used a 18-0 run midway through the first half to take control of the game, and a 17-2 run to open the second half to put the game on ice as they doubled-up Los Angeles Pierce 82-40 Saturday night at the Athletic Event Center. Cynthia Hernandez scored a game-high 24 points and Adrianna Vega netted 14 for VC (18-3, 3-0). Brooke Dixon posted her ninth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds while Lisa Marie Sanchez and Adrianne Sloboh contributed 11 assists and 10 boards, respectively.

It was rough going for the Pirates early in the game as they had a hard time finding their shooting touch. Pierce hit a 3-pointer with 12:49 left in the first half and took a 12-8 advantage before Ventura turned up the heat. Vega sandwiched a deuce and a 3-pointer around nine consecutive points by Hernandez to begin VC's game controlling run over the next six minutes. A Dixon basket and a lay-up by Joi Moten from a Hernandez assist completed Ventura's 18-0 spurt and they led 26-12 with 5:29 on the clock. The Pirates held a 33-19 advantage at the break.

Any lingering questions as to the outcome of the game were answered early in the second half, as Ventura came out strong. It took just over four minutes for the Pirates to complete their 17-2 run to take a commanding 50-21 advantage at the 15:57 mark. All five starters contributed points to the spurt, and VC continued to build its lead throughout the period. Micaela Pericone-Kapp closed the game strong with eight points down the stretch and Sandra Ortiz hit all three of her field goal attempts to finish the night with six. Ventura won going away 82-40.

The Pirates hit the road for their next two games, heading to Santa Barbara on Wednesday Jan. 22 before traveling to Canyons on Saturday Jan. 25. The midweek contest begins at 5:00 pm and the Pirates will play the Cougars at 3:00 pm. Both games can be heard live online on the VC Women's Sports Network.