Warriors Open Season with Win over Ventura

Amiete Nyingifa scored a team-high 12 points for El Camino College in its opening day victory over Ventura, 58-55, Thursday afternoon at the Wild West Shootout hosted by West Los Angeles College.

The Warriors got contributions from all over as Nao Shiota added seven points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals. Kayla Bibb scored nine points and led the team with eight rebounds while Makenna Peneueta and Hunter Noa chipped in with seven points apiece. Jordan Hixon also scored six points and was the team's anchor on defense.

It was a close game throughout despite a fast start for ECC that saw them take an 11-4 lead in the early going. Ventura responded with a 15-7 run to take a 19-18 lead and neither team led by more than four points the rest of the way.

Peneueta came through with some clutch free throws in the final minute to help secure the victory for the Warriors. They will return to action Friday afternoon against Orange Coast College in the penultimate day of the Wild West Shootout. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.