In a battle between Channel League unbeatens, Santa Barbara struggled to get its offense going and dropped a 51-34 decision at Ventura on Thursday night.
“They played better defense and hit their free throws,” Santa Barbara coach Andrew Butcher said of the Cougars, the No. 11-ranked team in Division 1-A. “They match up well with us and we weren’t able to counter.”
Tess Emerson scored 11 points and Riley Lloyd added 10 for the Dons (14-6, 3-1).
“Offensively, we had some problems,” said Butcher, who noted that Santa Barbara scored 10 points between the second and third quarters. “Defensively, they took it to us.”
Emerson was held to eight shots and guard Ivette Gil had only seven shots.
“Give credit to (Ventura), they forced the ball out of their hands and forced them to pass.”
The Dons play Oxnard on Saturday in a showcase event at Buena High.
