In a tight game throughout, the Pirates' men's basketball team took a lead midway through the second half and held on to outlast Santa Barbara 75-69 Saturday at the Athletic Event Center. Kam'Ron Cigar netted 14 points and handed out four assists while Jeremiah Wilson added 17 points. Kevin Hymes produced 14 points and dropped eight dimes with five rebounds and Bo Dolinsek recorded 10 points.
The Pirates held a 5-2 edge early on Cigar's lay-up and led 7-4 after a steal by Sky Clay and another Cigar bucket. The Vaqueros responded with a 9-0 run that was broken by Dolinsek's easy basket with 14:14 remaining in the first half. Dolinsek then hit pair of free throws before Cigar's dunk tied the score at 13 two minutes later.
SBCC scored the next eight points before William Caceres cashed in a pair of Cigar assists, each for three. Hymes made a lay-up at the 7:46 mark to keep Ventura close, 26-23 and Dolinsek scored inside with 6:14 on the clock.
The Vaqueros opened a 10-point advantage, 36-26, with 4:54 remaining leading to four straight points from Wilson with a field goal and two charity shots. Dudley answered a pair of Santa Barbara free throws with a deuce and Hymes hit a jumper to keep things close. After SBCC hit a three to stretch the lead back to nine, 43-34, the Pirates closed the half with an 8-0 run, including six straight from Hymes, to trail 43-42 at intermission.
There were six lead changes and three ties in the first seven-plus minutes of the second half before Hymes assisted a Cigar lay-up at the 12:38 mark to put VC ahead 55-54. Wilson cashed in another Hymes dime for three on the next possession and the Pirates would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the contest.
Santa Barbara pulled to within 58-56 with 11:56 on the clock, but a steal and lay-up by Hymes and two Cigar free throws opened up the Pirates' advantage on the next two trips down the floor. Hymes assisted a three by Wilson with 6:35 remaining as Ventura opened up a 70-61 lead and Elijah Brown hit from range with 1:43 left to play to end a 6-0 Vaquero run. Cigar nailed a pair of free shots in the closing seconds to set the final margin.
Caceres added nine points off the bench for VC and Dudley pulled in five rebounds in the effort.
Ventura next will host Los ANgeles Pierce on Monday Feb. 10 in a make-up from Jan. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.