The VC men’s basketball team used a strong defensive effort in he second half Saturday in their 68-60 triumph over Pasadena in the semifinals of the Gregg Anderson Memorial Tournament at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster. Kordell Gordon came off the bench to score 23 points, 17 in the final 20 minutes, and grabbed nine rebounds to help lead Ventura (7-3) to their fourth straight win. Kai Johnson, making his first start for the Pirates, netted 18 points with seven boards.