Women's Basketball opens season at Cougar Invitational

The VC women's basketball team opened their 2025-26 campaign over the weekend at the Cougar Invitational at Los Angeles Southwest College. The Pirates defeated Desert in the opener before dropping an overtime decision to Irvine Valley and another close contest to Reedley. Kayla Lumas earned All-Tournament honors for Ventura with 43 points over the three games.

In the opener on Thursday, the Pirates came out hot with  65-38 victory over College of the Desert. Lumas scored 19 points in her debut in the orange and black and Sofia Salgado netted 12 points. Riannah Lopez  scored nine and Sienna Angell added seven.

Friday, the Pirates staged a furious second half comeback, only to fall in overtime to Irvine Valley. Ventura outscored the Lasers 28-18 in the second half, including 18-5 in the third quarter, to send the game to extra time. Lumas again led the effort with 19 points and seven rebounds and Lopez added nine points and eight boards. Charnelle Nichols also gathered eight caroms and Olivia Decierdo had seven points and six rebounds. 

In Saturday's tournament finale, VC fell to Reedley College 61-52. The Pirates led 16-15 after the first quarter and expanded the advantage to 26-23 at halftime. The Tigers came out with a big third quarter, however, and Ventura could not make up ground in the final period. Lopez led VC with 17 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Nichols added eight. Salgado and Angell each scored six points.

Ventura will make its home debut on Friday Nov. 14 against Fullerton. Tip-off at the Athletic Event Center is scheduled for 6:00 pm.