Women's basketball team blows out Saddleback on the road

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

Irvine Valley's women's basketball team recorded its second straight win to open Orange Empire Conference play Friday night at Saddleback.

The Lasers also scored their second 40-plus point victory in a row.

IVC defeated Golden West, 97-54, on Wednesday at home and then went to Saddleback and won, 84-35.

Irvine Valley, ranked No. 9 in the state, improved its record to 14-2 overall and 2-0 in the Orange Empire Conference. Saddleback went to 2-13 overall and 0-2 in conference.

Irvine Valley didn't allow Saddleback more than 10 points in any quarter on the way to the win.

The Lasers led, 20-10, at the end of the first quarter and, 41-18, at the end of the opening half. IVC then out-scored Saddleback, 28-8, in the third quarter to put the game completely out of reach.

Irvine Valley had 12 players score in the game, led by sophomore guard Anai Washington, who finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.

Freshman guard Samantha Uehara contributed 12 points and four steals and Morgan Higgins added 11 points and five steals for the Lasers. Freshman forward Helen Reynolds chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks and sophomore forward Zoe Stachowski had eight points and five rebounds.

Irvine Valley shot 45.6 percent (36 of 79) for the game, while Saddleback shot just 26.2 percent (11 of 42).

Irvine Valley is slated to play again next Wednesday at home against Orange Coast at 6 p.m.