Sometimes a shock to the system is the best way to get a point across.

Two nights after suffering a stunning loss at the buzzer, the Ventura High girls' basketball team rebounded with a 57 victory over Oxnard on Thursday at the Ventura Optimist Cougar Invitational.

Ventura (1-1) displayed more energy and intensity against the Yellowjackets than it did in its season opener on Tuesday when Rio Mesa guard Julisa David hit a last-second 3-pointer to shock the Cougars.

"It's strange to say a loss is a positive, but for our team it was," Ventura coach Ann Larson said. "It was a wake-up call that you have to come and play every night."

Larson is trying to exercise patience with a young team that lost seven seniors from last season's squad that reached the CIF-Southern Section semifinals.

The Cougars have only one part-time starter returning to the lineup.

"We have a lot of players who are learning on the go," Larson said. "Last year's seniors were such good leaders and role models it was almost a disservice to these kids because there is nobody to show them or teach them leadership. They have to learn the hard way."

Ventura led Oxnard from start to finish. Instead of settling for outside jumpers, the Cougars forged ahead with cuts through the lane and easy layups.

Oxnard (1-1) had trouble establishing its offense in the first half, partly because of its 17 turnovers.

The Yellowjackets didn't score a point for the first six minutes of the second quarter, which allowed Ventura to establish a 21-14 halftime lead.

The Cougars put the game away in the third quarter. Freshman guard Meghan Shank hit a a short baseline jumper and sophomore center Alex Morgan made a layup to give Ventura a 36-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Junior forward Amy Pupa led Ventura with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Maddie Fahan and Shank scored 10 points each.

"The Rio Mesa game was a reality check for us," Pupa said. "We broke things down and started new. We realized we have to take the game more seriously and really focus."

Fahan normally likes to get right back on the court after a tough loss. But the junior guard said having a day to practice and reflect was the best recovery process.

"It helped out a lot because it allowed us to work on what we could do better," Fahan said. "We played the game the way we should have played tonight and didn't allow the other team to take us out of our game."

Oxnard coach Brett Chapin expected Ventura to be a bit more motivated for its second Pacific View League opponent in as many games.

"They were a totally different team than Tuesday," Chapin said. "Give Coach Larson credit. She has proven she is an outstanding coach and definitely fine-tuned her team. We are still finding out who we are and what our strengths and weaknesses are."

Keia Nobles scored 13 points to lead Oxnard and Blake Hudson had eight.

"I am very proud of the girls," Chapin said. "They showed a lot of heart, worked hard and played together. Obviously we have work to do, but we are headed in the right direction."

The victory allowed Larson to give a more measured postgame speech to her team, although she didn't go overboard.

"I told them they played better," she said. "Not good. Not great. Better."