It felt like a playoff game, and there was a full house on hand to see #2-ranked Ventura get past host Oxnard, 59-52. The #2-ranked Pirates got big games from C Jonathan Oliver and SG Keith West to offset a big effort from Oxnard C Jeremiah Massey. Oliver led the Pirates with 19 pts and 16 rebs and blocked 7 shots. West scored 14 of his 18 pts in the 2nd half and added 4 rebs and 6 asts to help Ventura raise its records to 22-3.
Oxnard looked overanxious to start the game, as they fell behind 11-2 in the first few minutes in a flurry of missed shots and turnovers. They missed 9 of their first 10 shots on the night and committed 11 first-half turnovers. But the Condors eventually calmed down and rallied, taking a 17-16 lead on a three by Massey midway through the half to cap an 11-1 run. A layup by PF Matt Dickenson with just under 7 minutes left in the half restored a 1-point lead to the Condors at 19-18. However, after that SF Will Brown and Massey went to the bench to rest and a long dry spell ensued. Even after they returned, the Condors were unable to score until a 3-point play by G Thomas Caveness with 1.4 secs left in the half, but by then Ventura had pulled away and led at the half, 31-22.
Oxnard pulled closer but was never able to fully overcome the deficit. Ventura’s lead was 42-31 midway through the second half with Massey sparked a rally with a putback slam and a three. Dickenson added a basket to cut the lead to 44-40, but Oxnard could get no closer. They still trailed 54-48 in the final minute when West and PG Rashien Little combined to hit 5 of 6 free throws to seal the win for Ventura. Two Oliver blocks helped the Ventura cause as well.
Oxnard was led as usual by Massey, who scored 25 pts and grabbed 16 rebs. Brown added 10 pts and 4 asts. The Condors committed just one turnover in the 2nd half, but shot just 29% on the night thanks in large part to the Ventura defense and, in particular, Oliver.
Unofficial Box Score:
Saturday, February 2, 2002
at Oxnard College
Western State Conference
Ventura Pirates 59:
10-Drew Lowery, SF – 0/1 fg, 0 pts
11-Rashien Little, PG – 1/3 fg, 5/6 ft, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 7 pts
12-Keith West, SG – 7/15 fg, 3/ 4 ft, 4 reb, 6 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 18 pts
33-Jonathan Oliver, C – 7/11 fg, 5/10 ft, 16 reb, 7 blk, 2 stl, 19 pts
34-Robert Love, PF – 3/7 fg, 6 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 7 pts
30-Anthonique Wilson, G – 1/ 2 fg, 1 reb, 2 ast, 2 pts
22-Roosevelt Bolden, G – 0/1 fg, 1 ast, 0 pts
45-Brian Gardner, F – 3/6 fg, 6 reb, 6 pts
41-Matt Colton, F – 0/1 fg, 2 reb, 0 pts
team rebounds: 3
Totals: 22/47 fg (.468), 13/20 ft (.650), 41 reb, 14 ast, 8 blk, 5 stl, 59 pts
3-pt fg (2): West, Love
Turnovers (20): Little 5, Oliver 4, West 3, Love 2, Wilson 2, Lowery, Bolden Gardner, team
Oxnard Condors 52:
12-Danny Guzman, PG – 0/4 fg, 1 stl, 0 pts
30-Ryan Frutos, SG – 1/ 4 fg, 1 reb, 2 ast, 3 pts
32-William Brown, SF – 4/13 fg, 2 reb 4 ast, 1 blk, 2 stl, 10 pts
40-Jeremiah Massey, C – 10/26 fg, 3/ 4 ft, 16 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl, 25 pts
50-Matt Dickenson, PF – 3/12 fg, 2/2 ft, 6 reb, 1 ast, 8 pts
34-Erik Webb, F – 1/6 fg, 1 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 2 pts
42-Jason Duplessie, F – 1 reb, 0 pts
10-Thomas Caveness, G – 1/ 4 fg, 2/3 ft, 1 ast, 1 stl, 4 pts
24-Thomas Porter, G – 0/1 fg, 1 ast, 0 pts
team rebounds: 9
Totals: 20/70 fg (.286), 7/9 ft (.778), 36 reb, 12 ast, 2 blk, 6 stl, 52 pts
3-pt fg (5): Brown 2, Massey 2, Frutos
Fouled Out: Caveness 29.9 secs left
Turnovers (12): Massey 4, Frutos 3, Dickenson 2, Guzman, Brown, Caveness
Halftime Score: Ventura 31, Oxnard 22
Updated Records: Ventura 22-3, 5-0 in conference. Oxnard 18-8, 4-1 in conference.
Ventura got out to an early 15-6 lead as Oxnard began with a flurry of missed shots and turnovers. The Condors rallied, taking a 17-16 lead on a Massey three. Dickenson’s layup with just under 7 mins left in the half restored the Oxnard lead, 19-18. But Oxnard didn’t score again until Caveness’ layup with 1.4 secs left in the half; he was fouled on the shot and his FT made it 31-22 at the half. Ventura led 42-31 midway through the 2nd half when Massey dunked on a spectacular putback and nailed a three. A Dickenson FG made it 44-40, but the Condors could get no closer than 4. Little hit 3 of 4 FTs in the final minute to seal the win for the Pirates. West scored 14 pts on 5 of 6 in the 2nd half.
