The Irvine Valley women's basketball team had its season come to a close on Saturday night in a second-round So. Cal. Regional Playoff game.
The Lasers seeded No. 7, held a six-point lead at the half, but were out-scored by 13 points in the second half and fell to No. 10 Ventura, 69-62, at home.
Irvine Valley, which finished second in the Orange Empire Conference, ended its season with a record of 21-8 overall. Ventura improved to 20-10 overall and will play at No. 2 Moorpark in a regional final with a trip to state on the line next Saturday.
Ventura held a 16-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, but IVC played its best in the second period. IVC out-scored Ventura, 25-15, in the second and held a 37-31 lead at the break.
But the Lasers had trouble making baskets in the second half. After shooting 43.8 percent (14 of 32) in the first half, IVC made just 7 of 27 shots (25.9 percent) in the second half.
Ventura won the third quarter, 20-14, to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter and then the Pirates out-scored IVC, 18-11, in the fourth quarter for the win.
Ventura also out-rebounded Irvine Valley, 39-28, in the contest.
Irvine Valley had four players score in double figures. Sophomore wing Christen Ziska had 15 points and seven reobunds, freshman point guard Haruka Mikuma added 11 points and three assists and sophomore guard Emily Freeman and sophomore post player Makena Tomlinson each finished with 10 points. Tomlinson also had six rebounds.
Freshman guard Moka Saiki chipped in eight points and four assists for the Lasers.
Ventura was paced by Alexa Coubal, who had a big night. She finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Coubal went 10 of 14 from the field and made 11 of 12 free throws.
Sam McKenzie contributed 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals for the Pirates.
Irvine Valley's all-conference players will be announced next week.
