Ventura Wears Down Glendale in 2nd Half, 76-60

The conquering Ventura College men’s basketball team returned from the tournament crusades Tuesday night with five championships under its belt and re-engaged a Western State Conference foe on the home front.

It was the Pirates’ first home game in more than five weeks, and they didn’t acclimate easily.

Glendale, which boasted an even record against Ventura over the past four years, played Ventura tough for 30 minutes before withering down the stretch under the Pirate pressure and dropping a 76-60 WSC interdivision decision.

“This is our home gym. We should be comfortable here,” Ventura Coach Philip Mathews said. “It was a poor effort. We played just well enough to win.”

The Pirates’ full-court pressure had a little something to do with the outcome. Ventura (21-0), the top-ranked team in the state, forced 21 turnovers and outrebounded the Vaqueros, 42-26.

“We just expended a lot of energy out there,” Glendale Coach Brian Beauchemin said. “We did as good as we could but, hey, they’re 21-0--we’re not the only casualty.”

Glendale (8-9), 2-2 against Ventura since the 1988-89 season, hung close in the first half, shooting 63% from the field to remain within 36-31 at halftime.

And the Vaqueros pulled to within 50-45 after Glendale’s Ken Collins drove for a basket with 12 minutes 37 seconds left.

An angry Mathews called for a timeout at that point, and when play resumed Ventura went on a 19-6 run to gain a margin of comfort.

“Glendale is patient and deliberate. Brian knew they couldn’t match us man for man,” Mathews said. “They didn’t have the horses. We just out-talented them in the second half.”

Ventura freshman guard Joey Ramirez led all scorers with 18 points, hitting four of six three-point attempts and seven of 10 shots overall. Forwards Calvin Curry and Jessie Brandon each added 16 points for the Pirates, and Brandon had 12 rebounds.

Collins led Glendale with 14 points and reserve forward Mike Macchia added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Glendale shot 53% from the field, 44% in the second half. Ventura, which took 22 more shots than Glendale, shot 42% from the field.