Hancock Honors State Championship Teams, Loses in Overtime to Ventura

With players and coaches from Allan Hancock College's 1957 and 1974 State Championship teams in the stands, freshman guard Teyvon Myers scored a game-high 28 points, but the Bulldogs dropped a 76-69 decision in overtime to Ventura College on Saturday in Joe White Memorial Gymnasium.

Hancock fell to 4-5 in Western State Conference play and 13-13 overall. Ventura improved to 6-2 in WSC action and 13-11 for the season.

Members from Hancock's two State Championship squads were honored during a halftime ceremony. 

The Bulldogs fell behind early and did not take their first lead in the game until Myers hit a jump shot to give Hancock a 46-45 lead with 12:54 to go in the second half. A tip in by Josh Varney and jumper by Myers helped Hancock take its biggest lead of the game 54-50 with 7:05 to play. Hancock trailed by two in the final minute of regulation, but Kadeem Minor sank two clutch free throws to force overtime at 64-64.

The Pirates scored the first three points in overtime, until Minor hit a jumper to bring Hancock to within 67-66 with 2:23 to go. But the Pirates only extended their lead from there.

Myers scored hit 28 points thanks to a 15 for 17 effort from the free throw line. The freshman made just 6 of his 24 shots from the floor. Hancock shot 33.8 percent from the floor in the game on 22 for 65 shooting. Isaiah Hicks added 13 points for the Bulldogs on 5 for 17 shooting. Andre Miller chipped in nine points, while Varney added six points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Ventura shot 41.5 percent from the floor and shot 40 percent form 3-point range. The Pirates hit eight 3-point buckets, compared to four from Hancock.

Ventura dominated the boards and held a 48-33 advantage in rebounds. Vondel Faniel and Ivan Dooley led the Pirates with 11 rebounds apiece. Both men recorded double-doubles as Dooley scored a team-high 27 points and Faniel added 15 points.  Jalen Young scored 10 points and Jon McMurry poured in 12 points to give Ventura four players in double figures.

The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, Feb.15 at L.A. Pierce at 5 p.m.