Top-ranked Ventura took control with an 18-4 first-half run on Wednesday en route to a 68-44 women’s basketball victory over visiting SBCC.
The Pirates (20-1, 3-0 WSC North) outshot the Vaqueros 47 to 23 percent and won the board battle 41-32. Ventura ended the opening half on a 26-8 run that produced a 36-19 lead.
Jennifer Jimenez paced Santa Barbara with 10 points and six rebounds. Keia Nobles had seven points and Mercedes Gonzalez added six points and eight rebounds.
The Vaqueros (6-11, 1-1) went ahead 11-10 on a triple by Jimenez before the Pirates scored 18 of the next 22 points to take a 28-15 advantage with five minutes to go in the first half.
Ventura hit 12-of-19 free throws in the first half while the Vaqueros were just 2-4. The Pirates attempted 23 more foul shots for the game, converting 24-37 compared to 7-14 for the visitors. The Vaqueros made 5-29 from the 3-point line.
“We played well but it’s tough to win when the other team gets 23 more free throws,” said Vaquero coach Sandrine Krul. “We did a great job of holding their top 3-point shooter without a 3.”
The Vaqueros travel to Santa Maria to take on Hancock on Saturday, starting at 5 p.m.
