VENTURA, Calif. (Interstat) — In a tense rematch of an overtime thriller from January, the Allan Hancock College Bulldogs exacted a measure of revenge Wednesday night, edging the Ventura College Pirates 78-77 in a men’s junior college basketball game decided in the final seconds.

The game, a defensive struggle marked by poor outside shooting, came down to free throws in the closing moments. With five seconds remaining and Allan Hancock clinging to a one-point lead, Ventura’s Jerimiyah Smith fouled Bulldogs guard Trenten Lavender. Lavender calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to three.

Ventura’s final attempt, a Kam’Ron Cigar three-point shot at the buzzer, missed, sealing the narrow road victory for the Bulldogs and avenging their 85-81 overtime loss to the Pirates on Jan. 24.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final half-minute. With 29 seconds left and the score tied at 75, Allan Hancock’s Mehki Grant committed a turnover. Ventura’s Snookey Wigington was fouled on the ensuing play and made both free throws to give the Pirates a 77-75 lead with 29 seconds remaining.

After an Allan Hancock timeout, Grant turned the ball over again with 12 seconds left. Needing a foul to stop the clock, the Bulldogs sent Adam Silmon to the line, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity, giving Allan Hancock life. On the rebound, Smith fouled Lavender, sending him to the line for the decisive free throws.

The contest was characterized by stifling perimeter defense. The teams combined to make just 3 of 33 attempts from three-point range, with Ventura shooting a dismal 1 for 18. Both teams found more success attacking the basket and drawing fouls, combining for 49 free throw attempts.

Ventura’s Jerimiyah Smith led all scorers with 25 points, adding 11 rebounds. Snookey Wigington supported him with 23 points. For Allan Hancock, Trenten Lavender scored 19 points, including the crucial final two, while Noah Morris added 13 points and eight rebounds.

Despite the loss, Ventura held a slight efficiency edge, posting an offensive rating of 105.0 points per 100 possessions compared to Allan Hancock’s 102.7. The Pirates also won the rebounding battle 40-39 and committed fewer turnovers, 11 to 13. However, the Bulldogs’ ability to get to the line and make free throws, hitting 18 of 23, proved a decisive factor.

With the win, Allan Hancock improved its season record to 20-8. Ventura, which entered the game with a 23-3 record and was projected by Interstat’s ELO system to have a 77.7 percent chance of winning, fell to 23-4. The Pirates look to rebound quickly, scheduled to play at Oxnard on Friday.