Ventura’s Neal Dominates in 74-69 Win Over Glendale

Ventura College’s Lester Neal, a brawny 6-foot-6 freshman from the Windy City, blew through Glendale College for 26 points and 15 rebounds Saturday night in a Western State Conference game.

Ventura held Glendale scoreless for the final two minutes and scored the last six points to win, 74-69, at Glendale.

Neal, the WSC’s leading scorer in conference games, led the attack for a highly physical Ventura team, which outrebounded Glendale, 39-20.

“The guy’s a man,” Glendale Coach Brian Beauchemin said. “One time he knocked two guys down to get the ball. Nothing you can do against that.”

Glendale (17-10, 5-4 in conference play) managed to stay in the game, though, primarily because of 26 Ventura turnovers and 15 second-half points by shooting guard Bruce Heicke.

With Glendale trailing, 58-53, Heicke combined with Gary Fowler to outscore Ventura, 13-2, in a five-minute span.

Heicke started the run with a three-point play, then hit a jump shot.

Fowler, who finished with 14 points, hit three baskets, and Heicke made two free throws to give Glendale a 66-60 lead with 6:49 remaining.

Neal stopped the run with a rebound basket and Ventura (21-8, 7-2) scored eight consecutive points before Heicke, who scored a team-high 21, made a three-point shot to give Glendale its last lead, 69-68.

Ventura capitalized on consecutive Glendale turnovers to pull ahead, 72-69, and Heicke missed a three-point shot on Glendale’s last attempt to tie the score.

“We had a good look; the play worked. I thought he was going to make it,” Beauchemin said. “It must have been a fun game to watch. We’re a great team to watch.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t win this one. (The players) are all down there throwing up. They took this one hard.”

Glendale led, 35-28, late in the first half but Ventura scored the last seven points of the half to forge a tie. Neal had 14 first-half points.

Dave Swanson had nine points and Justin Lord had eight in the first half for Glendale.

That was all the scoring Swanson would manage, however, and Lord added only two points in the second half.

Point guard Vigen Serop had seven assists for Glendale.