The Pirates' men's basketball team dropped its season finale 92-80 Friday against Oxnard at the Athletic Event Center. Jeremiah Wilson went for 26 points and five rebounds to lead VC while Bo Dolinsek netted 15 with a team-high seven boards. William Caceres and Kam'Ron Cigar each netted 12 points in the effort and Isaiah Dudley handed out three assists.
Wilson hit a three and Dolinsek scored a lay-up as the Pirates opened a quick 5-2 lead. The game was tied at 5-5 and 10-10 before Oxnard scored seven straight points to gain the upper hand. Wilson cashed in Kevin Hymes' dime for three to end the skid, and Gerard Bolden hit from range to pull VC to within 19-16 with 12:39 remaining in the first half. The Condors caught fire at that point, however, with a 17-0 run over the next four minutes of game time to fully control the contest. An 8-2 Ventura run cut into the deficit but Oxnard maintained a 47-33 lead at halftime.
VC came out strong after intermission with a 9-0 run. Dolinsek scored a jumper and Cigar made two free throws to start things, and Brown drained a three before Brown's lay-up made it 47-42 with 17:15 for OC remaining. The Pirates remained within arm's length with a three by Wilson and a jumper from Cigar. Caceres turned Cigar's assist into three points and VC trailed 57-50 with 11:33 on the clock. It seemed that Oxnard had an answer for every Ventura charge, however, as the Pirates could get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.
The setback ends the Pirates' season with an overall record of 11-17, 4-8 in the Western State Conference.