The Irvine Valley men's basketball team has another important Orange Empire Conference game Thursday night as the regular season winds down.
The Lasers take on a strong Santiago Canyon squad at 5 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Laser women's squad.
IVC enters Thursday's contest with a mark of 16-9 overall and 7-6 in the OEC. The Lasers upset Santiago Canyon, 77-69, on Jan. 17 on the road.
The Lasers lost to the top team in the conference and one of the best in the state, falling to Fullerton, 76-47, on the road Tuesday.
IVC shot just 30.0 percent from the field as a team, while the Hornets shot 52.5 percent.
Freshman forward Josiah Reed led the Lasers with nine points and six rebounds.
Sophomore guard Luke Farrington had eight points and freshman guard Ammon Allan and sophomore forward Ethan Tauber each ended with seven points on the night.
On the year, sophomore post player Jesse Stines is averaging 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Sophomore guard Roman Swizek is averaging 11.6 points, Luke Farrington averages 9.4 points and is shooting 52.6 percent from the three-point line, which leads the state.
Allan averages 7.0 points and sophomore guard David Ogunlade is averaging 5.8 points, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Irvine Valley.
IVC plays at Goldent West next Wednesday and then hosts Cypress to end the regular season.
Santiago Canyon comes into the game with a record of 19-6 overall and 10-3 in conference play.
The Hawks have won four games in a row, including defeating Golden West, 114-71, on Tuesday on the road.
It was the highest point total of the season for Santiago Canyon.
The Hawks also knocked down a season-best 18 three-pointers.
Kai Smith finished with 24 points and four assists, Chico Lopez had 17 points, Trevor Manning had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Dane Kiefer finished with nine points.
On the season, Smith is averaging 17.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, Damien Parker averages 12.2 points and 3.3 assists, Tony Colley is averaging 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds and Eli Arthurton averages 9.4 points per game.
Upcoming Irvine Valley Schedule
2/21 at *Golden West (5 p.m.)
2/23 vs. *Cypress (6 p.m.)
*Orange Empire Conference game
