Pirates Struggle to Find Answers Against Sierra

"We Play Hard!" Three words that have formed basketball tradition at Ventura College for over a generation.  The VC women's basketball team had trouble living up to those traditions Friday, dropping an 72-52 decision to Sierra College in the quarterfinals of the Gilcrest Invitational at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.  Micaela Pericone-Kapp was solid once again for VC (5-3) with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.

Ventura was not good from the onset.  The Pirates misfired on their first seven field goal attempts, and had five early turnovers, falling behind 8-0.  Aubri Smith scored at the 13:43 mark for Ventura's first points, and Shiloh Smith added a free throw with 9:08 on the clock, as the Pirates trailed 12-3. VC was still in the game at that point, but things continued to deteriorate on the court.  

The Pirates did not score again for another seven minutes, as the Wolverines slowly extended their advantage, forcing 17 first half turnovers against the Pirates.  By the time Carly Maciel hit two free throws at the 1:32 mark, Sierra held a 29-5 lead.  However, seven points by Pericone-Kapp in the final 1:19 of the half brought the Pirates back to within a manageable 31-14 deficit at the break.

VC could not manage the deficit, however, as the second half began, allowing Sierra to extend the lead to 47-20 with 12:50 remaining in the game.  The Pirates did not give up, however, as Brooke Zamora and Makenna Murray began to heat up a bit in the closing minutes of the contest.  The Pirates fought back to within 58-39 on Madison O'Donnell's bucket from an Aubri Smith assist, but the damage had been done in the first half.  Ventura could not make up any more ground in the 72-52 decision.

The Pirates were balanced behind Pericone-Kapp's 16 points, as Aubri Smith, Felicia Magana and Murray all totaled eight points.  Pericone-Kapp led the rebounding as well, with O'Donnell pulling in eight boards, and Zamora seven.  Murray had three assists.

Ventura moves to an elimination game in the tournament Saturday, a 4:00 pm date with Santa Rosa Junior College.  The winner will play for fifth place on Sunday at 12:00 noon while the loser will head home.