Ventura Gets Back on Right Track, 92-73

Now that’s more like it.

The Ventura College men’s basketball team was pleased with its 92-73 victory over Moorpark College in the championship game of the Ventura College/Kiwanis tournament Sunday night at Ventura College.

And the two-time defending state champion Pirates had reason to be after winning their fourth consecutive game following a three-game losing streak to open the season.

“It was important to us that we beat them and win this tournament,” Ventura guard Chris Clayton said.

“We had to kind of redeem ourselves after the way we started.”

Ventura (4-3) started well and never let up in handing the Raiders (6-1) their first loss.

Clayton scored a game-high 22 points while forward James Lee added 21 as the Pirates used superior size to their advantage.

Ventura led from the start, opening the game by making 12 of their first 13 shots and taking a 10-point lead five minutes into the game.

In earlier games, Antelope Valley defeated Rio Hondo, 93-88, for third place and Mt. San Antonio College slipped by L.A. Harbor, 63-62, in the consolation final.