Ventura Has the Winning Numbers

With the outcome hardly in doubt before the tip-off, and clearly never afterward, Ventura College’s 83-50 second-round victory over Santa Monica in a Southern California Regional women’s basketball game at Ventura came down to numbers.

Such as 300, which is how many victories Coach Ned Mircetic has mustered in 10 seasons with the Pirates.

Such as 34, which is Ventura’s current winning streak, only eight victories short of the team record.

Such as five, which is the number of Ventura’s consecutive appearances in the state tournament, a total the Pirates will likely increase after Friday.

That’s when Ventura (34-0), ranked No. 1 in the state, will host Cypress (12-19) in a regional third-round game.

Cypress defeated San Diego Mesa, 75-45, in another second-round game Tuesday.

The winner advances to the Final Eight Tournament March 9-11 in Stockton.

Mircetic was presented with a basketball after the game to commemorate his milestone victory as he improved to 300-39.

“The game is much more exciting,” Mircetic said. “The ball is nice, but without the game, there is no Friday game.”

Forward Shatasha Noble had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Ventura. Teammate Bryanna Norton scored 13 points.

Shevonda Redden led Santa Monica (20-13) with 14 points.

Ventura scored several easy lay-ups on backdoor passes and with tenacious man-to-man defense, forced Santa Monica into poor shot selection.

The Corsairs committed 40 turnovers.