Pirates Can't Repeat Last Second Magic

In another down-to-the-wire game, the Pirates' women's basketball team could not repeat the magic of the previous night, falling to Long Beach 50-49 when their last-second shot sailed long in the semifinals of the VC-Kiwanis Tournament of Champions. Sofia Torres-Reyes hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1:13 remaining to tie the game, and nailed two free throws with 31 seconds left for a 49-48 VC lead. After LBCC made a pair of free throws, Torres-Reyes' final attempt sailed long and VC dropped the 1-point decision.

it was another knock-down, drag-out physical battle for the Pirates (2-3), who entered the night shorthanded without injured point guard Kenya Edelhart. Alisha Cruz-Lisberg,who started in Edelhart's place, gave VC an early 3-2 lead with a 3-pointer from deep in the corner, and her steal and lay-up, with an assist from Maddie Ozbourn, made it 5-2 for the Pirates three minutes into the game. After a Viking two, Mya Victor and Torres-Reyes each hit three's, and Alyssandra Lacanilao made a free throw for a 12-4 advantage at the 3:29 mark of the opening period. the Ventura offense went cold at that point, however, going 6:47 without a score to let LBCC back into the game. 

The Vikings scored the next 12 points, taking a 16-12 lead with 7:08 left in the second quarter before Lacanilao's 3-pointer cut the deficit to one with 6:42 on the clock. VC trailed 20-15 with 5:35 remaining, but ended the half on a 10-2 run. Torres-Reyes nailed a triple with an assist by Kylie Gallick, then she answered a long Beach score with a short jumper. Ozbourn tied the game with a deuce, then put VC ahead with a charity toss with 59 seconds remaining. Ozbourn then hit a pair of free shots with 15 seconds on the clock to give Ventura a 25-22 halftime edge.

The teams traded buckets in the first minute of the second half, then the defenses took over. VC held a 27-24 advantage for the next 4:27 before Torres-Reyes connected from range for a 30-24 lead at the 4:41 mark. The Vikings went on a 9-0 run at that point, holding a 33-30 margin before Gallick converted an offensive rebound at the buzzer to close the gap to one at the quarter break.

After a LBCC score, Torres-Reyes and Ozbourn netted buckets for a 37-36 Pirate advantage. The Vikings immediately reestablished their lead, however, and were up by four, 41-37, when Gallick converted an old-fashioned 3-point play with 4:11 left to play. Long Beach answered with a lay-up and a pair of free throws for a 45-40 edge before VC made another comeback. Cruz-Lisberg scored on consecutive possessions around a Viking deuce, and Torres-Reyes hit a big three with 1:13 on the clock to tie the game at 47. in the final minute, LBCC hit one of two free throws before Torres-Reyes hit  pair of foul shots at the 31-second mark for a 49-48 Pirate lead.  The vikings were able to convert two free shots at the other end with 19 seconds on the clock, and the Pirtates' final try by Torres-Reyes sailed long. 

Long Beach moved on the the tournament final with the 50-49 decision.

Torres-Reyes led Ventura with 18 points and nine rebounds while Ozbourn had 10 points, nine boards, four steals and four blocks. Making her first carer start, Cruz-Lisberg had nine points and six rebounds and Gallick contributed five points, grabbed six caroms, and handed out three assists. Victor also pulled in six boards.

Ventura moves to the bracket's third place game on Saturday Nov. 20. They will face Mt. San Antonio College at 1:00 pm and the game will be shown live on the VC Sports Network. other games Saturday include Santa Monica vs. Napa Valley at 9:00 am, West Hills Lemoore vs. Cypress at 11:00 am and Canyons vs. Long Beach at 3:00 pm.