Cougars claim victory over Chargers

Ventura freshman point guard Meghan Shank poured in 16 points while doing a veteran-like job of making the high-powered Cougars purr by keeping them undefeated in the Channel League after a 63-46 victory at Dos Pueblos on Thursday.

The Chargers, meanwhile, are still seeking their first Channel League win and fall to 10-13 overall.

“I know it was a 17-point loss but we played them pretty evenly in the second half – we only lost by a point,” said Dos Pueblos head coach Maynard Pilapil, who got a team-high 12 points and five assists from his freshman point guard Jessica Escalante.

Senior post player Meghan Murphy added 11 points and Jasmine Mata had a season-high eight points.

“I’m really happy that she stepped up and knocked down some shots – she definitely asserted herself,” Pilapil said of Mata, another freshman.

Ventura’s Amy Pupa led all scorers with 19 and Maddie Fahan reached double figures with 10.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Chargers, who have Buena on Tuesday.