Ventura Drops From Ranks of Unbeaten : College basketball: Pirates fall to hot-shooting Santa Monica, 87-80, their first loss in 22 games.

And then there were none.

The Ventura College men’s basketball team entered Thursday night’s Western State Conference inter-division game against host Santa Monica City as the only unbeaten team in the state, but when it was over, the No. 1-ranked Pirates had suffered their first loss after 21 wins.

Santa Monica’s 87-80 victory was the result of phenomenal shooting in the second half (20 of 27) and some timely defense.

“They beat us in every phase of the game,” Ventura Coach Philip Mathews said. “They deserved to win.”

The Corsairs (12-5) led, 37-32, at halftime, then made 15 of their first 19 shots in the second half to take a commanding 71-53 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Sophomore guard Craig Martin (28 points) played a big role during the run, scoring 10 points and blocking two shots that led to layups for Santa Monica.

“It was just time for someone to step up and take a leadership role,” Martin said. “We just turned to our defense to help us and it did. . . . This was like a playoff game to us.”

Mathews said he had been trying to tell that to his team all week, but to no avail.

“We weren’t ready to play against Glendale (on Tuesday),” Mathews said. “And we weren’t ready to play tonight. I told them that when you’re No. 1, any team can make its season by beating you. Maybe now they will listen to me.”

Ventura, which had won 39 of its previous 40 games dating to last season, made one of its patented runs to narrow its deficit to 78-73 with 2:02 left.

The Pirates stole the ball on the inbounds play, but guard Stephane Brown (18 points) was whistled for a foul away from the ball.

Martin proceeded to hit a pair of free throws for an 80-73 lead and Ventura never drew closer than seven points thereafter.

The Pirates, who made 26 of 63 shots from the field, hit seven of 10 shots during their 20-7 run.

Brandon Jessie (17 points) started the streak with a dunk after a steal by Brown and Joey Ramirez (15 points) capped it with an NBA-length three-point shot.

“Despite how well they shot, we still had a chance to win until that last call,” Mathews said of the call on Brown. “I’m not taking anything away from them, but that was a key call.”

Calvin Curry, the leading three-point shooter in the WSC, scored 13 points for Ventura, but all came in the first half.

Curry struggled from the field, hitting only four of 17 shots, including three of 15 from three-point range.

James Gray scored 21 points for Santa Monica and Mike Demers added 15.

The Corsairs made 36 of 57 shots from the field and six of 13 from three-point range. “I can’t remember the last time someone shot like that against us,” Mathews said. “We are a team that prides itself on defense, but tonight we could not stop them.”