Women's Basketball Posts Solid Victory

The VC women's basketball team took an early lead against visiting Cuesta, and never looked back in their 65-45 victory over the Cougars Wednesday. Charnelle Nichols led a balanced scorebook with 14 points while Kayla Lumas netted 13 points with six rebounds. Sienna Angell scored 11 points, also with six boards, and Alyssa Ballesteros also contributed 11 points. Olivia Decierdo scored nine points and Ava Elliott grabbed six boards in the triumph for the Pirates.

Angell hit a three a minute into the game to break a 2-2 tie, and Nichols followed up with a lay-up and Ventura was off and running. Angell and Nichols each hit lay-ups and Lumas nailed a shot from range as VC moved to a 16-8 lead after the first quarter.

Angell then hit back-to-back triples to start the second period, giving the Pirates a 22-8 edge with nine minutes remaining until halftime. Ballesteros also hit from range, and Decierdo made two free throws for a 17-point edge, 27-10. Lumas scored a lay-up at the 2:19 mark to halt a 9-0 Cuesta run, and then scored inside in the final minute of the quarter for a 3323 Pirate margin at intermission.

Nichols and Ballesteros each scored three's in th third quarter, and Decierdo's jumper at the 5:21 mark made it 47-29 for Ventura. Nichols connected from beyond the arc just before the end of the stanza for a 55-33 VC advantage.

The teams played even in the fourth quarter, but the Pirates had already established their dominance in the 65-45 victory.

Decierdo and Nichols each handed out four assists in the game and Decierdo also recorded five steals. 

The Pirates next travel to Allan Hancock College on Saturday Jan. 24. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm in Santa Maria.