The VC men's basketball team battled, but ultimately came up short in a 76-70 loss at Oxnard Wednesday. Kevin Hymes came off the bench to score 20 points with six rebounds and Bo Dolinsek had a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards. Kam'Ron Cigar added 14 points and Jeremiah Wilson scored 11 in the setback.
The Condors steadily built a lead over the Pirates through the first 10 minutes of play. VC trailed 20-8 at the 9:09 mark of the first half before Wilson sandwiched a pair of field goals around an OC score and Hymes scored at the rim. Hymes and Isaiah Dudley then each scored buckets to pull Ventura to within 22-18 with 4:46 on the clock. Oxnard was able to stretch the lead back to 10, 32-22, at the 1:52 mark before Cigar and Wilson each made field goals. Unfortunately, Oxnard scored a three in the closing seconds of the half to hold a 36-26 lead.
The Pirates were outscored 12-4 in the first five minutes of the second half, falling behind 48-30. Dolinsek connected for two to break the skid before Wilson and Hymes scored on back-to-back trips to pull VC to within 48-36. The run was short-lived, however, as OC was able to build a 20-point advantage, 59-39, with 7:35 remaining. VC still trailed 73-59 at the 2:00 mark before closing the gap for the 76-70 final.
Ventura next travels to Los Angeles Pierce College on Saturday Feb. 1.