Women's basketball team bounces back with win at Coast Classic

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

Irvine Valley's women's basketball team split its first two games in the Erin Tomlinson Coast Christmas Classic at Orange Coast.

The Lasers fell to a tough Palomar team, 85-53, in the opener on Thursday.

Palomar was ranked eighth in the state and fourth in Southern California and was the two-time defending champion of the event.

Leading, 35-28, Palomar outscored IVC, 50-25, the rest of the way and advanced to the championship semifinals.

Ariana Hernandez drained six three-pointers on her way to a game-high 22 points, while Kendall Crosby added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Comets.

Sophomore forward Kydell Pearson and freshman forward Kiara Warren each had 12 points for the Lasers.

Irvine Valley bounced back on the second day of the tournament and defeated El Camino, 64-52, in a consolation game.

It was a big win for the Lasers, who had already lost to El Camino twice this year.

Freshman guard Serena Saba scored 23 points to lead the Lasers (6-6), while Pearson added 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Irvine Valley led, 22-12, after the first quarter and, 34-22, at the half.

Warren also added six points and 10 rebounds, freshman guard Mary Dishoian had five points and freshman guard Elizabeth Garcia added five points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals for IVC.

Meghan Peneueta had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who were outscored, 31-10, from the free-throw line as the Lasers went 31 of 35 from the charity stripe (88.6 percent).

Irvine Valley moved on to the consolation final where it will take on Cerritos on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Orange Coast.