The Irvine Valley men's basketball team battled it out in an Orange Empire Conference matchup with Fullerton on Friday night.
The Lasers played a strong first half in their conference opener against one of the top teams in the state.
And IVC held a lead at the break, but Fullerton took over in the second half an came away with a 60-54 victory.
The win improved Fullerton to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in the OEC, while Irvine Valley's record fell to 7-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
The Lasers went in to the contest sporting the best defense in the OEC, holding teams to 53.1 points a game, and it showed in the first half.
IVC scored the first seven points of the game and by the 11-minute mark had held Fullerton to just two points (10-2 lead)
But Fullerton slowly chipped away at the Laser lead and tied the game at 17 at the 5:16 mark.
Irvine Valley finished the half strong with a 9-2 run and took a 26-19 lead into the half.
Fullerton started the second half, out-scoring Irvine Valley, 16-9, to tie the game at 35.
And then the Hornets went on a 10-0 run behind the shooting of Kobe Newton. A tip in by Gaven Ramirez gave Fullerton a 45-35 lead.
Irvine Valley tried to claw back, but Fullerton made its free throws down the stretch to earn the win.
Sophomore guard Luc Krystkowiak led Irvine Valley with 17 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore wing Aaron Strings was the other IVC player in double figures with 12 points. Freshman guard Gavin O'Neill added six points.
Newton led all scorers with 18 points, while Chazz Hutchison added 12 points for Fullerton.
Irvine Valley plays again next Tuesday in a conference game at home, taking on Riverside at 3 p.m.
