VC Women Open Optimist Crossover Against Irvine

The VC women's basketball team opened the Optimist Crossover Classic Friday with a setback against State No. 10-ranked Irvine Valley at the Athletic Event Center. Charnelle Nichols led Ventura with 13 points and Riannah Lopez scored nine points with 10 rebounds. Olivia Decierdo also netted nine points in the effort for the Pirates.

Finding an offensive rhythm was challenging for both teams in their first game back from an extended holiday break. Nichols made a lay-up with 2:37 remaining in the first quarter to pull VC to within 5-4, and Decierdo's two free throws tied the score at 6-6 at the end of the first period.

Nichols hit from range to move Ventura ahead 11-8 early in the second stanza and Decierdo's lay-up off an assist by Kayla Lumas expanded the lead to 11-5 less than two minutes into the period. Decierdo scored again and Lopez cashed in another dime from Lumas for a 15-10 Ventura advantage with 4:35 on the clock. The Lasers scored six of the final seven points of the half to knot the score at 16 at intermission.

Nichols hit a pair of jumpers in the third period to put VC ahead 22-18 at the 5:41 mark before IVC came back to tie the score a minute later. Lopez made a three to again give Ventura the lead, 25-22, but Irvine scored the final four points of the stanza to hold a 26-25 margin heading to the final 10 minutes of play.

A Decierdo bucket and a Lumas triple answered an IVC score to put the Pirates up 30-28 at the 8:25 mark before the Lasers went on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to take control of the game. Lopez made a 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining to pull VC back to within 41-34, but the Pirates could not make up any more ground, falling 46-34.

Ventura will conclude the Optimist Crossover on Saturday Dec. 27, hosting Pasadena at 3:00 pm.