Cold shooting and 13 first-half turnovers were too much for SBCC to overcome Wednesday night in an 88-65 men’s basketball loss at Ventura.
Richard Somdah had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Vaqueros (7-17, 3-6 WSC North), who dropped their third straight. Ventura, which led 40-23 at the half, outshot the visitors 48 to 30 percent. Santa Barbara made just 3-16 from 3-point range.
The Pirates improved to 8-2 in conference and 20-7 overall but they are on probation and ineligible for the WSC title.
The Vaqueros, who beat the Pirates 61-60 on Jan. 15, got within 10 (72-62) with five minutes to go but Ventura responded with three straight triples.
Anthony Petrilli had nine points and four rebounds and Chris Vines contributed seven points and eight boards.
The Vaqueros play host to first-place Oxnard on Saturday at 5 p.m.
