Pirates Fall in 2022 Finale in Optimist Classic

The VC women's basketball team dropped a 53-44 decision to visiting Glendale Friday in the final game of the VC-Optimist Club Holiday Classic at the Athletic Event Center. Kenya Edelhart scored 15 points with two assists and two steals while Sofia Torres-Reyes netted a dozen with four steals and three dimes. Kylie Gallick pulled in 11 rebounds to lead the Pirate Windex crew while scoring eight points. Alisha Cruz-Lisberg scored seven in the final game of 2022.

Although the Pirates (11-4) scored a bucket on the opening possession of the game, a deuce by Torres-Reyes from Cruz-Lisberg's assist, they then went eight minutes without a score.  Meanwhile, Glendale answered by hitting their first four shots to take a 9-2 lead halfway through the opening period. Ventura's defense buckled down at that point, and Edelhart netted a pair of free throws and Cruz-Lisberg grabbed a steal and outraced the clock for a lay-up for a 9-6 VC deficit at the end of the quarter.

After the quarter break, the Vaqueros nailed five straight shots, including three 3-pointers, to take a 22-8 lead with 6:22 on the clock. The Pirates slowly crept back into the game with scores by Edelhart and Gallick, two free shots by Cruz-Lisberg and another field goal inside by Gallick. Torres-Reyes cashed in Edelhart's dime in the final minute of the half to pull VC to within 25-19 at intermission.

Edelhart and Torres-Reyes each scored early in the third to make it a 25-23 game. Torres-Reyes grabbed a steal on the next possession, but the Pirates were unable to convert on the fast break and tie the game. Glendale came back and hit a three on the next possession and VC would never get to within one field goal for the remainder of the contest. While the Ventura defense continued to play well, Glendale continued to shoot better as they made another three triples in the period. Gallick converted an assist from Torres-Reyes at the buzzer and the Pirates still trailed 42-34 headed to the final stanza.

The Vaqueros continued their hot shooting hand in the fourth, hitting another three treys, for a total of 11 for the game, in building a comfortable margin. VC continued the effort, however, but could not find their shooting touch in the 53-44 setback.

Ventura next opens Western State Conference North Division play on Wednesday Jan. 4 at Oxnard. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 pm and the game will be followed at 7:00 pm by the Pirates' men's team against the Condors.