Irvine Valley's women's basketball team scored its biggest win of the 2024-25 season so far on Friday afternoon at home.
The Lasers, under first-year head coach Claire Gocke, rallied in the second half to defeat No. 12 in the state and No. 6 in So. Cal. San Diego Mesa, 46-45, at home.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 8-8 overall, while Mesa fell to 10-4 overall.
IVC starts Orange Empire Conference play next Wednesday with a game at Santa Ana at 5 p.m.
Irvine Valley trailed, 22-20, at the half and was down, 42-40, with 3:20 left in the fourth quarter.
But the Lasers never gave in. They tied things at 42 on a layup by freshman wing Alexis Price and then took the lead for good at 44-42 on a layup by freshman guard Samantha Barnett with 56 seconds left in the game.
After San Diego Mesa missed two free throws, Irvine Valley put the contest away after the Olympians had to start fouling.
IVC sophomore guard Moka Saiki swished two free throws with four seconds left to give the Lasers a 46-42 advantage.
Mesa's Christina Bowen drilled a three-pointer as time expired, but the Lasers held on.
Irvine Valley was paced by Price with 18 points (8 of 15 from the field), 10 rebounds and two assists.
Saiki was IVC's other player in double figures. She added 15 points (3 of 7 on three-pointers and 6 of 6 from the line) and had two assists and two steals.
And Barnett finished with six points, nine rebounds, two assists, one blok and two steals.
The Lasers did a good job of taking care of the ball with 11 turnovers comparted to 19 by the Olympians.
And Irvine Valley was solid from the free throw line. The Lasers went 8 of 10, while Mesa made 3 of 14 free throws.
San Diego Mesa was paced by Bown with 10 points. Rayleen Moreno had nine points, three assists and two steals, Alethze Marquez had seven points, 14 rebounds and two blocks and Alivia Gillespie ended with 12 rebounds.
