Irvine Valley's men's basketball team moved into the title game for the third straight season in its own Irvine Valley College Classic with a 76-62 semifinal win over Santa Monica on Friday at home.
The Lasers, who won the tournament last season, will face Cerritos in the final on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Cerritos was a 74-56 winner over College of the Canyons in the other semifinal on Friday.
With its win Irvine Valley improved its record to 3-1 overall. IVC also handed Santa Monica (3-1) its first loss of the season.
The first half was tight with the Lasers up over Santa Monica, 39-37.
But Irvine Valley broke open the game early in the second half.
The Lasers went on a 19-4 run over the first nine minutes of the half.
A layup by freshman guard Jacob Short gave Irvine Valley a 51-41 lead with 14:32 to play.
And then Short made another basket to make it 53-41.
A jumper by freshman guard Zuri Williams lifted Irvine Valley to a 55-41 lead with 13:29 left.
And finally a three-pointer by sophomore forward Tanner Aguera gave the Lasers a 58-41 advantage with 11:18 to play.
The IVC lead never got under 14 points the rest of the way.
Aguera paced the Lasers with 14 points and eight rebounds. Short finished with 13 points and sophomore center Patrick Sniff had 11 points.
Freshman forward Zach Harvey finished with nine points and seven rebounds and freshman guard Isaiah Milan and sophomore forward Jacob Dean each had eight points. Milan also had five assists and Dean added five rebounds.
Irvine Valley shot 48.1 percent (26 of 54) for the game, while Santa Monica shot 27.7 percent (18 of 65). The Corsairs were led by Duncan Douglas with 11 points and six rebounds. Brandon Baker and Isiah Ajiboye each finished with eight points.
Santa Monica will take on Canyons in the third-place game on Saturday at 2 p.m.
