Ventura College kept its undefeated streak alive with a 79-69 victory over L.A. Pierce College Wednesday night at VC.
Michelle Santizo lead the way for the Pirates with 18 points while Ventura Pirates shooting guard Jessi Selleh added 17 points. Tiara Richardson and Tierra Battle each added 13 points for Pierce Brahmas.
Ventura kept up with Pierce’s fast-paced offense, delivering on many fast-break opportunities. Pierce made the game close, trailing only 32-29 at the half. In the second half, Pierce was the first to score, taking their largest lead of the game, 44-40 with 15 minutes to play.
In the end, however, Ventura maintained its composure and capitalized on many Pierce turnovers, regaining the lead at the 10 minute mark. Jessi Selleh’s three-pointer put the nail in the coffin with seven minutes to go, putting the Pirates on top 67-59, never trailing after that.
Ventura College basketball coach Ned Mircetic was very pleased with his team’s performance.
“Offensively, we executed very well,” Mircetic said. “We were able to get the shots we wanted on offense and I was pleased with that.”
According to Selleh, the team’s deep bench has been a major part of their success this season.
“The great thing about our team is that anyone can come off the bench and perform well,” Selleh said. “We don’t lose talent when we go to the bench.”
The victory pushed the Pirates to an incredible 27-0 on the season, and 8-0 in Western State Conference play. With the loss, L.A. Pierce College fell to 18-9 and 4-3 in the Western State Conference.
The Pirates look to keep their undefeated streak alive when they play at Moorpark College at 7 p.m. next Wednesday. Pierce College will also play Moorpark next, hosting them on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Although the Pirates have everything going for them at the moment, Mircetic believes they need to keep their focus on the next game, playing one game at a time.
“With teams gunning for you in the last stretch of conference games, you got to show up to play,” Mircetic said. “When playoffs roll around, there is no margin for error.”
