After a tough loss against Santiago Canyon at home last Friday, the Irvine Valley men's basketball team needed a win.
And the Lasers grinded out a 70-59 Orange Empire Conference victory at Golden West on Wednesday.
The win moved Irvine Valley's record to 17-10 overall and 9-8 in the OEC.
Irvine Valley is in a tie for third place in the conference standings with Saddleback.
IVC closes out the regular season on Friday at home against Cypress at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Lasers led Golden West, 35-33, at the half, but outscored the Rustlers, 35-26, in the second half for the 11-point win.
Sophomore post player Jesse Stines led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals for Irvine Valley. He made 9 of 14 shots from the field and 2 of 3 from three-point range.
Freshman guard Ammon Allan added 13 points and four rebounds and sophomore guard Roman Swizek finished with 11 points.
The Lasers shot 49.0 percent (25 of 51) from the field as a team and outrebounded Golden West, 35-29.
Irvine Valley wraps up the regular season on Friday at home, hosting Cypress at 6 p.m.
