The Oxnard College Condors almost took down a Western State Conference dynasty Wednesday night. Unfortunately, almost does not quite cut it in sports.

The Condors gave the Ventura College Pirates a scare, taking a halftime lead, only to squander it late and be unable to complete a monumental upset, losing to the Pirates 63-52 at The Condor Center.

The Pirates scored 12 of the final 14 points in the county rivalry, a rivalry that has not been a real competition in years. The Pirates beat the Condors in the WSC opener last season 63-16, but the Condors were a different team Wednesday night.

The Condors (12-7, 3-3) got strong performances from Coco Bradley, who had 11 points, while Takara Prezzie and Sheniqua Perkins added nine points apiece.

Kris King led the Pirates (23-0, 6-0 WSC) with 20 points, while the Pirates’ only returning starter from last season’s team that went undefeated during the regular season, Erika Ward, added 11 points.