Irvine Valley's men's basketball team started the second round of Orange Empire Conference play with an important 59-58 win over Orange Coast on Coaches vs. Cancer night Friday night at home.
With the win, Irvine Valley improved its record to 12-10 overall and 5-2 in conference. The Lasers remained in second place in the conference standings.
Orange Coast, which went into the contest just a game behind IVC for second, slipped to 5-14 overall and 3-4 in conference.
The Lasers pulled out the win late, overcoming a five-point deficit with 7:33 left and out-scoring OCC, 8-2, to end the game.
Orange Coast took a 56-51 lead on a layup by Brad Buchignani.
Two free throws by freshman forward Craig Magyar got Irvine Valley within 56-53. The free throws were the start of an 8-0 run that helped Irvine Valley take the lead for good.
Sophomore guard Jalen Hall made a jumper to pull Irvine Valley within 56-55 with 5:16 left.
And then a layup by sophomore guard Jimmy Golden put IVC ahead, 57-56 with 4:25 remaining.
One free throw by Golden with 3:37 to go and then a free throw by sophomore forward Chris Porter with eight seconds remaining gave Irvine Valley a 59-56 cushion.
Orange Coast, which went 7:32 without scoring, still had one last chance to tie the game.
But the Pirates couldn't get off a three-point shot and had to settle for a two-point jumper by Deion Page which made the final 59-58.
The Pirates were led by Deion Page with 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists. DeAndre Page added 12 points, Devasyia Hagger had 11 points and eight rebounds and Buchignani chipped in 10 points.
Orange Coast hurt itself in the game by going just 7 of 15 (46.7 percent) from the free throw line.
Irvine Valley got a strong game from sophomore guard Ronnie Harris, who finished with 14 points. Magyar added 10 points.
Irvine Valley's bench, which included Harris and Magyar, out-scored Orange Coast, 31-3, in the contest.
Golden finished with eight points and Porter and sophomore guard Jalen Hall each had seven points. Porter also had a team-high 10 rebounds.
Sophomore center Andrew Bastien contributed six points and nine rebounds for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley has a bye in its schedule next Wednesday and then hosts Saddleback next Friday at 5 p.m.
