The win streak to open the 2022-23 season for the Irvine Valley women's basketball team continued on Wednesday night.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 5-0 overall with a 47-42 victory over Citrus at home as part of the El Camino Crossover event.
Both teams struggled scoring points, but the Lasers clamped down on defense and got another strong performance from freshman guard Trasara Alexander in the win.
Alexander finished with a game-high in points and rebounds, scoring 18 and grabbing nine boards.
Irvine Valley also received solid efforts from sophomore guard Kennedy Pucci with six points, two assists and two steals, freshman guard Ella Will with six points and four rebounds and sophomore post player Alara Ersu, who added five points and eight rebounds.
Citrus, which saw its record slip to 2-3 overall, was led by Giselle Garcia-Nunez with nine points and six rebounds and Cayla Williams with seven points and six rebounds.
The Owls led by as many as 11 points in the first half.
But the Lasers closed that lead to three (27-24) by the break.
Irvine Valley scored the first five points of the second half and took a 29-27 lead on a layup by Pucci.
It was back and forth after that until Irvine Valley took the lead for good on a three-pointer by freshman forward Christen Zisken off an assist by freshman point guard Kaila Truby with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter.
And a free throw by Will gave IVC a 43-35 advantage with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
Citrus pulled to within 43-40 on two free throws by Williams with 5:14 left in the fourth period.
But the Lasers put the game away shortly after. Two free throws by Ersu made it a 45-40 game.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday at El Camino at 7 p.m.
