Irvine Valley's men's basketball team rallied from eight points down in the second half to send the game to overtime, but ended up losing to Riverside, 75-72, in an Orange Empire Conference contest at home on Tuesday night.
Irvine Valley trailed, 54-46, after a three-point play by RCC's Chris Harper with 7:06 left in regulation.
The Lasers then came storming back, out-scoring the Tigers, 14-6, to close out the second half.
IVC trailed, 56-49, with just over five minutes to play, but a three-pointer by freshman guard Tylan Lassiter pulled the Lasers within 56-52.
Riverside held a 58-54 lead after a basket by Franky McQuay with 3:25 to go.
But the Lasers got within one point at 58-57 on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Kevin Olsen with 3:02 to go.
McQuay scored Riverside's final basket of regulation play with 2:35 left to put Riverside up, 60-57.
The score remained that way until sophomore guard DeVon Lamar sank a three-pointer from the right corner with 25 seconds left to tie the score.
Riverside's Taylor Otto's three-pointer as time expired was off the mark and the game went to overtime.
The game was tied at 62, 64 and 66 in the extra period, but Riverside took control after that.
The Tigers went on a 6-0 run capped by a basket by Rico Tate to go up, 72-66, with 46 seconds left.
Irvine Valley tried to rally again, getting within 73-72 on a basket by freshman guard Christian Louis with 17 seconds to play.
Riverside's CJ Clark made two free throws with 15 seconds left to give Riverside a 75-72 lead.
And a last ditch, three-point attempt by Salas came up short with one second to play.
Riverside improved its record to 17-9 overall and 6-4 in conference, while Irvine Valley's record slipped to 5-21 overall and 2-8 in conference.
Irvine Valley had four players score in double figures. Freshman forward Sadiq Muhammad finished with 16 points, freshman guard Isaiah Mahmud had 13 points and five assists, Salas added 12 points and six rebounds and Lamar ended with 10 points. The Lasers also got six points and 10 rebounds from freshman post player Josh Walker.
Chris Harper paced Riverside with 21 points and nine rebounds, Clark had 20 points and six assists and McQuay added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Irvine Valley plays again on Thursday at Copper Mountain at 5 p.m.
