Ventura built a 26-9 lead after 10 minutes on Wednesday night and went on to defeat SBCC 82-63 in a WSC North men’s basketball game in Ventura.
Najee Salaam scored 20 for the Pirates (17-5, 1-1), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Trace Yager had 14 for the Vaqueros (4-10, 0-2), who’ve dropped their last three.
Rico Failla added 13 points and Logan Louks had 12 for SBCC, which went on a 13-5 run late in the first half and pulled within 10 on a 3-pointer by Louks. Ventura led 39-27 at intermission.
Jalani Davis collected 10 points and eight boards for the Vaqueros, who shot 36.5 percent and made just 3-13 from 3-point country. Ventura hit 45.5 percent and won the rebound battle 47-33, including 16 at the offensive end.
“We fought back after falling behind early and we had some opportunities,” said coach Morris Hodges. “They hurt us on the offensive boards.
“In the second half, our help defense wasn’t there. We didn’t do a good job of containing them off the dribble.”
SBCC will play its first home game in six weeks on Saturday when Cuesta visits the Sports Pavilion at 5 p.m.
