Santa Barbara Survives Late Rally, Defeats Ventura 57-54

By AJ Nagbe

VENTURA, Calif. — The Vaqueros Women's Basketball team survived a late rally to defeat Ventura 57-54 on Saturday afternoon, winning their second consecutive game and improving to 7-2 in Western State Conference play.

Aariah Fox led Santa Barbara with 15 points and a game-high 15 rebounds while dishing out two assists and grabbing three steals. Khaya Jackson added 14 points off the bench despite tough shooting, while Milan Jackson contributed 11 points.

The game featured two ties and three lead changes in a low-scoring defensive battle. Santa Barbara dominated the boards 52-34, using their rebounding advantage to create second-chance opportunities and offset their cold shooting. The Vaqueros shot just 31.9% from the field and 15.4% from three-point range, but controlled the paint with 36 points compared to Ventura's 24. SBCC's bench outscored the Pirates' reserves 16-5, and despite 30 turnovers, the Vaqueros held a slim lead throughout the fourth quarter to secure the three-point victory.

Coach Sandrine Krul praised her team's resilience and second-half adjustments following the 57-54 victory. "Wow, what a great game. We had to claw our way back," Krul said. "I think we were down by 13 in the first half, and we outscored Ventura in the third and the fourth. It was our defensive intensity that led to our offensive freedom."

Krul highlighted the team's dominance on the boards despite shooting struggles. "We out-rebounded them 52 to 34," she said. "We did have 30 turnovers, and I think we only shot like 30% from the field. However, when you're rebounding the ball, Aariah, Kaylee Lawson, and Kenedy Nutter, were just playing heads-up and willing us to win. Aariah got three big offensive boards."

She emphasized the team's refusal to quit despite the deficit. "Kaylee hit a three because we were down, I think, by six to start the fourth period," Krul said. "We just refused to give up in the second half. This team, down 13, just kept chipping away, kept believing. That was a fun game to coach. [The players] literally did not accept us being down."

Reflecting on the significance of the comeback, Krul added, "It was a game for a decade. That second half, just seeing my team keep chipping away, it was a fun game to coach."

Santa Barbara (18-7, 7-2) returns home to host LA Mission on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at Robertson Gym.