The Irvine Valley men's basketball team had its chances in the final of its own Irvine Valley Classic on Friday night.
But Ventura played solid down the stretch, hit a couple of big three-pointers and defeated the Lasers, 73-68, to capture the championship.
IVC's record went to 2-1 on the season, while Ventura moved to 4-1 overall.
Ventura was led by tournament Most Valuable Player Bo Dolinsek, who finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kam'Ron Cigar finished with 18 points and Kevin Hymes tallied 10 points to earn all-tournament team honors.
Jeremiah Wilson recorded a game-high 21 points in the victory, including two three-pointers in the final minutes.
The game was tied at 6, 8, 10 and 12 before IVC began to open a small advantage over Ventura. T
IVC led, 20-12, with 12:41 remaining in the first half and the Lasers took a 41-30 advantage with 2:49 left in the first half.
Ventura climbed within 42-38 at the break.
And the Pirates tied the game at 44 early in the second half.
From the end of the first half, spilling into the beginning of the second half, Ventura went on a 22-3 run to take the lead for good.
A lay-up by Cigar put Ventura ahead, 52-44, with 14:48 left in the game.
Irvine Valley fought back and claimed a 55-54 advanage two minutes later, but Ventura scored six of the next seven points to led, 60-55, with 10:45 left on the clock.
After Irvine Valley scored to open the final period, Dolinsek's short jumper continued the VC run. Wilson notched a three and K. Cigar made one of two free throws to tie the game at 44. Hymes and K. Cigar then scored back-to-back lay-ups, Hymes assisted a dunk by Wilson and K. Cigar made a lay-up to complete the 22-3 run over halftime for a 52-44 Pirate lead with 14:48 left to play.
Irvine Valley was paced by sophomore guard Ammon Allan, who finished with 10 points, five rebounds, six assists and one steal, and sophomore forward Ethan Tauber, who ended with 10 points and two rebounds.
Freshman forward Matt Mowers and sohomore forward Josiah Reed each scored nine points. Reed also had seven rebounds, three assists and one steal, and Mowers added six rebounds and three assists.
Allan and Mowers were each named all-tournament players for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley shot 44.3 percent (27 for 61) from the field as a team in the game. Ventura shot 50.9 percent.
IVC plays again next Thursday, traveling to LA Valley for a 5 p.m. contest.
