Women's Basketball controlled their Western State Conference contest against rival Ventura until the final few moments.  Cuesta gradually built a solid lead over the course of the game.  They led by one-point after the first quarter, five points at the half and, although their lead had previously been over ten points, they still led by seven going into the final frame.  Unfortunately, the rival Pirates wriggled loose of the Cougars' grasp by scoring a game-high 24 points during the last ten minutes to avoid their first loss to Cuesta since 1995, 58-57.  The loss to the Pirates came despite stellar performances from Sophomore Forward Abigail Lacy, who led the Cougars with 28 points and nine rebounds, and Freshmen Guard Reese Pasternik added 16 points and seven rebounds.  Fellow Guard Bella Musolff (pict) also kept the Cougars' offense moving with a game-high seven assists.  The setback dropped the Cougars to 0-2 against the WSC and, after a 11-3 start to the season, they fell to 11-7 overall, as the Cougars languish in a season-worst four-game slide. 

Cuesta continues its first swing through the Western State Conference with two games next week.  The Cougars travel to nearby Santa Maria on Wednesday (7 PM) to face local Allan Hancock and return to the friendly confines of Stork Gym to host Oxnard on Saturday (5 PM). Both contests will be the opening act of a WSC Men's and Women's Doubleheader, with the women playing the nightcap.