The Irvine Valley women's basketball team battled for 40 minutes, but fell to Orange Coast, 57-53, in an Orange Empire Conference opening game Wednesday night at home.
The Lasers, ranked No. 19 in the state, had their record slip to 12-4 overall. No. 2 OCC improved to 17-0 on the season.
Irvine Valley even held a 17-13 lead with 6:36 left in the first half after a three-pointer by freshman guard Trasara Alexander.
But the Pirates out-scored IVC, 18-8, the rest of the half to take a 31-25 advantage into the break.
Coast scored the first six points of the third quarter and was up, 37-25, after a layup by Meghan McIntyre with 5:38 left in the quarter.
Orange Coast led, 48-38, heading into the fourth period, but the Lasers never gave in.
Irvine Valley got within 53-48, after a layup by Alexander with 1:33 to go.
After after sophomore guard Kennedy Pucci scored it was a 53-50 game with just over a minute to play.
OCC went up, 55-50, with two free throws.
But freshman guard Emily Freeman nailed a three-pointer to get IVC to within 55-53 with 29 seconds left.
Orange Coast made two more free throws to make it a two-possession game and the Lasers missed their final shot.
McIntyre finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and three assists to lead OCC. Karina Cabrera added 23 points. She sank six three-pointers.
Irvine Valley was paced by Alexander, who had 21 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Pucci chipped in eight points and four rebounds.
IVC plays again on Friday, hosting Golden West in a conference game at 5 p.m.
