Men's basketball team gets off to fast start, beats OCC, 71-49

Courtesy of On My Game Photography
Courtesy of On My Game Photography

The Irvine Valley men's basketball team got off to its best start in a game this season on its way to a 71-49 Orange Empire Conference win over Orange Coast on Wednesday night at home.

The Lasers scored the first 21 points of the game.

Orange Coast got on the board with 11:34 left in the first half after a layup by Aundrel Pua to make it a 21-2 game.

IVC cruised throughout and was up by as many as 27 points late in the second half.

Irvine Valley was paced by sophomore guard Luc Krystkowiak, who had 22 points, 11 rebounds (four offensive) and four blocks.

Sophomore guard Aaron Strings added 14 points and freshman forward Charlie Henderson came off the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Freshman point guard Tyson Robinson contributed five points, three rebounds and three assists for the Lasers.

Irvine Valley, ranked No. 18 in the state, improved its record to 15-7 overall and 7-4 in conference.

IVC shot 47.1 percent (24 of 51) from the field and made 17 of 21 (81.0 percent) of its free throws.

The Lasers also out-rebounded Orange Coast, 45-25, in the contest.

The Pirates (4-15, 0-9) were led by Jydon Hall with 24 points and four rebounds. Pua added 14 points, four rebounds and five steals.

Irvine Valley plays again on Friday in a key conference game at Cypress at 5 p.m.