The Pirates' women's basketball team had four players score in double figures Saturday as VC routed Los Angeles Mission 71-35 in Sylmar. Aiyana Gonzalez had a season-high 17 points on 8-9 shooting from the floor and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Pirates. Danielle Salazar netted 13 points while Alexa Coubal had a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards. Charnelle Nichols also scored 11 in the Ventura triumph.
With the Pirates down 6-4 early, Milan Garcia hit a 3-pointer with 5:29 left in the opening period to put VC ahead for good, beginning a 15-2 run. Salazar followed with a lay-up, then had a steal that led to two points by Sam McKenzie. Ariella Harrison converted McKenzie's asst into a long-range bomb and Gonzalez then scored a lay-up on he next possession. After two Eagle free throws, Salazar converted one of two charity shots and Gonzalez made another bucket for a 19-8 Pirate lead.
Ventura then went on a 9-0 run late in the the second quarter. With VC up 27-17 with 3:28 remaining in the stanza, Nichols scored a pair of free shots and Salazar followed with a three. Gonzalez made a lay-up and Coubal scored inside before LAMC hit a three late. The Pirates led 36-20 at intermission.
Gonzalez hit a three and a two early in the second half to extend the lead to 44-22, followed by field goals from McKenzie and Nichols. Gonzalez matched a Mission score and Salazar hit from beyond the arc for a 53-26 score. Coubal's jumper made it 55-26 at the quarter break.
The rout continued in the final quarter as VC outscored Mission 16-9 for the final 71-35 score.
Nichols added seven rebounds to her point total and McKenzie scored nine points while pulling in seven boards.
The Pirates return home on Wednesday Feb. 4, hosting Moorpark at 5:00 pm.