The VC women's basketball team came up short at Long Beach Tuesday, dropping a 57-46 decision to the Vikings. Devin Feiereisen led the Pirates with 13 points and three steals while Sam McKenzie added 11 points in the contest. Alexa Coubal contributed seven points and eight rebounds and Alanna Topete tallied five points with three thefts and six assists.
Topete assisted a pair of Feiereisen lay-ups early as VC moved ahead 5-1. After a Long Beach Run, Freiereisen nailed a three to tie the score at 8-8 with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter. Coubal made a pair of free throws and McKenzie scored a lay-up as Ventura built a four-point margin, 12-8. The Vikings made a pair of 3-pointers late in the period to lead 20-17 after 10 minutes of play.
Charnelle Nichols made a jumper at the 6:46 mark of the second to bring VC back to within one, 25-24, and McKenzie put the Pirates back on top with another easy bucket two minutes later. Milan Garcia's three with 3:39 on the clock extended the VC lead to 29-25 before Long Beach tied the game at halftime.
The Vikings were able to distance themselves from the Pirates through the third period, opening up a 38-31 lead with 3:57 remaining. Ariella Harrison's bucket in the final minute of the period closed VC to within 41-35.
Unfortunately, the Pirates were unable to dig into their deficit in the final stanza as they ultimately fell by a 57-46 margin.
Ventura next plays at the LA Valley-Buddy's All-Star Classic on Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 12-14, facing the host Monarchs at 5:00 pm in the opener.