When Danny Benson was fouled with 2.7 seconds remaining Saturday night in San Luis Obispo and the Ventura College men's basketball team holding a slight 68-66 lead on first-place Cuesta, sophomore guard Prince Abidoye had a question for the captain:

"I asked him if he was going to make a free throw and he said he was going to make both. So I wasn't worried after that."

Benson made both free throws to clinch the 70-66 win.

Prince Abidoye had 17 points and Dee Pinkard added 11 points, including the decisive buzzer-beating runner, as Ventura, ranked No. 15 in the state, outlasted No. 11 Diablo Valley, 71-69, in overtime in the quarterfinals of the San Jose City Classic.

Sophomore Eric Gray chipped in 10 points, including a huge 3-pointer to begin overtime, and Randy Hunter had nine points.

Despite foul trouble to three key starters, Ventura (10-3) advanced to face Alameda (2-7), which also needed overtime Thursday to overcome Monterey Peninsula 66-64, in the semifinals tonight.

Diablo Valley (7-3) was led by 18 points each by Dan Davies and Gary Pinkey.

Ventura won for the ninth straight time besides foul trouble by key starters Benson and Will Faiivae, who combined for only nine points.

"At the same time, that's our motto," said coach Will Cowen. "We have an array of guys that will step up and we're real proud of them. It was a very hostile environment and our guys never quit."

Ventura College guard Dee Pinkard, who missed the end of his freshman campaign with a knee injury, seems to be turning a corner.

The Hueneme High graduate had a big game in the Ventura College men's basketball team's best game thus far this season, a 97-77 win over Santa Barbara City.

Pinkard had eight points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals.

"And he's going to get better each week as he gets in better shape from the injury," said coach Will Cowen.

Some thoughts by coach Ned Mircetic on the Ventura College men's basketball team's performance in its scrimmage Tuesday against Westmont:

"Dee Pinkard had a kind of coming-out party."

"Prince (Abidoye) played well. He was able to get to the rim and draw a lot of fouls."

"Will Faiivae was active, but he was foul prone."

"Danny Benson is a breath away from being a tremendous player for us."

The sophomores mostly stood out. But there was one freshman who was highlighted, Channel Islands High product Jordan Harris.

"Jordan Harris showed energy on the board and patience in the high post."

Mircetic was upset that point guard Mike Diacos, a Camarillo High graduate who transfered from Nebraska, didn't see more playing time.

"Diacos did fine. I didn't play him enough. I was trying different combination and he got squeezed out of the combinations. That was more on me looking at different combinations."