Cuesta Again Spoils Ventura Win Streak

SAN LUIS OBISPO — There were signs recently that the well-oiled Ventura College men’s basketball machine was sputtering. It finally conked out Saturday night, when the Pirates had their season-long 29-game winning streak snapped by Cuesta, 89-81, in a Western State Conference North Division game.

Ventura led, 41-40, at halftime, but the Pirates shot just 35% from the field in the second half, while Cuesta registered 51%.

Gerald Zimmerman scored 17 points to lead the Pirates. Shannon Taylor added 16, including five three-point baskets, and Damian Cantrell had 13. Guard Charles Thomas led Cuesta with 25 points.

It was the second time in two seasons the Pirates, ranked No. 1 in the state, dropped a game to Cuesta (22-9, 5-3 in division play). It was only their second loss in North Division play since the 1989-90 season.

Cuesta defeated the Pirates, 72-71, on Feb. 9, 1994, at Ventura. That victory snapped Ventura’s 29-game winning streak, a school single-season record matched by this season’s team.

The loss also prevented Ventura (29-1, 7-1) from clinching at least a share of its ninth consecutive North title. The Pirates have two division games remaining before opening play in the Southern California regional on Feb. 25.