The Pierce College men’s basketball team lost at home, 81-74, against the Ventura College Pirates in what was an uphill battle from the opening tip on Feb. 12.
Along with losing the game, and any chance of making the playoffs as their conference record dropped to 3-7, the team also lost head coach Ed Babayan. Babayan was ejected just before the end of the first half after earning two technical fouls.
Coach Babayan was arguing with referees because he said he felt there was inconsistency in the foul calls being made. Babayan began arguing with the referees after Pierce had three fouls called against them in three consecutive possessions.
“They got three straight post-up fouls,” Babayan said. “We go down, their guys’ hands weren’t up, they didn’t call the same fouls. That’s all it was. Consistency in the calls.”
Fouls were a major part of the game with free throws accounting for 22 of the 81 points scored by Ventura.
Pierce made 28 of its 74 points from the free-throw line. Terrel Funches was the top contributor putting up 18 points with Rodney Walters adding 17 points of his own.
