Irvine Valley's women's basketball team came away with two wins, including beating district and Orange Empire Conference rival Saddleback, in the Coast Christmas Classic last weekend at Orange Coast.
Irvine Valley, ranked 18th in the state, started with a tough 57-51 victory over Canyons in the opening round last Thursday.
The Lasers trailed, 11-9, at the end of the first quarter and, 28-27, at the half.
Irvine Valley out-scored Canyons, 16-10, in the third quarter to take a five-point lead.
IVC was up by as many as 11 points late in the fourth quarter before earning the 57-51 win.
Sophomore guard Tara Casey and freshman forward Kydell Pearson each had 14 points in the game. Sophomore forward De'Jerre Scurry came off the bench with seven points and nine rebounds and sophomore point guard Erika Mercado had four points, four rebounds and seven assists.
The Lasers lost to eventual tournament champion Palomar, 64-50, in a championship semifinal on Friday.
Palomar, the ninth-ranked team in the state, made three more three-pointers and nine more free throws in the game than IVC.
Irvine Valley went just 6 of 18 (33.3 percent) from the free throw line in the contest.
Freshman forward Jada Haynes and sophomore guard Jordan Coleman each finished with nine points. Haynes also had eight rebounds and Coleman added six rebounds and two steals. Pearson chipped in seven points and seven rebounds for the Lasers.
Irvine Valley fell into Saturday's third-place game and defeated Saddleback, 68-60.
Irvine Valley led the entire way.
The Lasers, who were without three starters, still shot 58.1 percent (25 of 43) for the game from the field. Irvine Valley also out-rebounded Saddleback, 36-21, and had 18 assists on their 25 made field goals.
Sophomore forward Morgan Bryant had a standout performance with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and five steals. She was named to the all-tournament team for her effort.
Haynes had 14 points and seven rebounds, Coleman finished with 12 points and three steals and Pearson contributed eight points and eight rebounds in the win.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 9-4 overall.
The Lasers won't play again until Dec. 28-30 in the Foothill Tournament in Los Altos Hills.
IVC opens the event on Dec. 28 against Los Medanos.
