Pirates Run Away From Oxnard, Take Control of WSC

The Pirates have relied on team balance for much of their success this season.  That balance was on full display Wednesday as seven players scored seven or more points in Ventura's 77-57 victory over surging Oxnard College.  VC (20-4, 6-0) used a decisive 32-11 second quarter to defeat  the Condors, putting them, and the rest of the Western State Conference North Division field at least two games back in the standings through one round of conference play.  Carolyn Ruffino led the way with 14 points three assists and three steals and Kyleesha Green chipped in 13 points and six assists.

Oxnard, who entered the game just one game behind VC in WSC play, hung tough in the opening quarter.  They jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and led 13-11 with 2:05 remaining in the period. Aubri Smith and Carolyn Ruffino each hit 3-pointers to keep the Pirates close, and Amani White converted a Ruffino assist to tie the game at 13-13 with 1:07 on the clock.  With three free throws, Ventura led 16-13 an the end of the quarter.

Any designs the Condors had on first place went away in the second quarter.  Oxnard tied the game at 16-16 90 seconds into the period before VC caught fire.  Green started off a 24-5 Pirate run with a free throw and Alex Kalmbach hit a jumper.  Ruffino was fouled on a 3-point attempt and sank all three charity tosses.  Marissa Hurtado cashed in a Green assist to make it 24-16 just over a minute after the game was tied.  Brooke Zamora answered an OC score with two free shots and Ruffino answered a Condor three with her own triple from a White assist.   Felicia Magana, who had an excellent defensive game, hit a three and White's bucket made the score 40-21 with 2:17 left in the half.  Another Ruffino three, Green's two free throws, and a Zamora three closed the half with VC ahead 48-24. 

The teams played relatively even in the third quarter.  The Pirate lead stretched to 26 points on three occasions during the period, and Oxnard closed to within 20 points once, and 21 twice. Ventura held a 68-43 advantage at the end of the quarter.

With the outcome decided, the game lost some of its intensity in the final period.  Ventura cruised down the stretch to the 77-57 win.

White finished with another double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.  She also had two assists and two steals. Kalmbach had eight points and six boards and Makenna Murray had eight points, also.  Aubri Smith had seven points and six assists in the game and Zamora also netted seven points.  

After one round of conference play, the Pirates are in first place at 6-0 while Oxnard remains in second with Hancock at 4-2.  Moorpark and Santa Barbara are 3-3 while Cuesta and Pierce stand at 1-5 and 0-6, respectively. 

Wednesday's game was also the 9th Annual Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Awareness Game. Activities included a silent auction throughout the game, in which $3,375 was raised for the Ribbons of Life breast Cancer Foundation.

Ventura continues WSC play on Saturday Jan. 30 in San Luis Obispo against Cuesta College.  tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 pm.  VC returns home on Wednesday Feb. 3 against Moorpark.

The Condors and Pirates with five honorary starters, all breast cancer survivors, before the 9th Annual Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Awareness Game Wednesday at the Athletic Event Center.  A total of $3,375 was raised for the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation during the evening. (Photo by Dina Pielaet)