Santa Barbara’s girls basketball team was down only one heading into the fourth quarter against Ventura — which recently won the elite Gold Division title at the Tournament of Champions — but couldn’t stay composed in the fourth quarter in Thursday night’s 53-40 home loss.
Tess Emerson had a season-high 11 rebounds while Rebecca Griffin and Brandi Blackwell each scored 13 points for the Dons. Ventura improved to 2-0 in the Channel League and 14-3 overall.
“I think we just have to get tougher physically and mentally. They’ve been in a few more close games than us, for sure, and we didn’t handle the pressure very well in the fourth quarter,” said Dons coach Andrew Butcher.
Another tough opponent looms for Santa Barbara (14-4, 0-1), which will play Oaks Christian on Saturday.
VENTURA 53, SANTA BARBARA 40
VENTURA — Frank 7, Fahan 17, Horwitz 12, Wilson 3, Pupa 12, Shank 2. Totals 18 14-17 53
SANTA BARBARA — Blackwell 13, Griffin 13, Lavender 7, Crispin-Ibarra 3, Emerson 4. Totals 15 7-11 41.
Ventura………….11 12 11 19 — 53
Santa Barbara….15 7 11 7 — 40
3-point goals — V 3 (Frank, Wilson, Pupa). SB 3 (Griffin 2, Lavender 1).
Total fouls — V 13, SB 14.
Records — SB 14-4, 0-1. V 14-3, 2-0.
