Lopez’s 27 Points Power Ventura Past Cuesta 58-48

Riannah Lopez poured in a game-high 27 points to lead Ventura College to a 58-48 road victory over Cuesta on Saturday as VC broke the game open in the fourth quarter after three tightly contested frames. Trailing 14-12 after the first quarter, the Pirates methodically flipped the game with a 15-point second quarter to take a 27-25 edge into halftime. Ventura maintained its narrow advantage in a defensive-minded third, leading 41-38 heading to the final 10 minutes, before closing with a 17-10 surge in the fourth to pull away for the 10-point win.

Lopez was the difference offensively, attacking at all three levels. She finished 8-for-14 from the field, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and 7-for-10 at the free-throw line while adding five rebounds and two steals. Her scoring helped offset a tough overall shooting night for Ventura, which went 19-for-54 (35.2 percent) from the floor but found its rhythm from beyond the arc, knocking down 11-of-30 3-pointers (36.7 percent). Alyssa Ballesteros and Kayla Lumas each added nine points in the victory while Charnelle Nichols handed out four assists and grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.

Beyond Lopez, Ventura received key support from its perimeter group. Alyssa Ballesteros added nine points on 3-of-8 shooting, all from beyond the arc (3-for-7), providing timely spacing in the half court and Kayla Lumas also scored nine points. Charnelle Nichols anchored the effort on the glass with a team-high seven rebounds and distributed four assists, helping facilitate an offense that tallied nine assists on 19 made field goals.

The Pirates will return to the Athletic Event Center for their final home game of the season on Wednesday Feb. 18 against Allan Hancock. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.