Irvine Valley's women's basketball team sprinted out to a lead, but couldn't hold in in a 58-53 Orange Empire Conference loss to Fullerton on Friday night at Fullerton.
Irvine Valley's record slipped to 10-15 overall and 2-7 in conference play. Fullerton broke a five-game losing streak and improved its record to 10-15 overall and 2-6 in conference.
In the first quarter, the Lasers jumped on top of the Hornets, 19-10, after a three-pointer by freshman guard Elizabeth Garcia with 2:57 left.
It was IVC's largest lead of the game.
Irvine Valley led, 19-14, at the end of the first quarter.
But the second quarter was all Hornets. Fullerton out-scored Irvine Valley, 15-6, in the quarter and led, 29-25, at the half.
And Fullerton took its largest lead at 40-31 with 2:37 left in the third quarter after a jumper by Marcella Tanuvasa.
The Lasers made a move in the fourth quarter.
Garcia hit a couple of free throws to get IVC within 50-48 with 3:42 left.
But that was the closest IVC would get as the Hornet's Tianna Buford, Melody Thomsen, and Tristian Johns made key shots in the final minutes to help Fullerton hold on for the win.
Irvine Valley shot just 28.8 percent (19 of 66) for the game
Sophomore forward Kydell Pearson led Irvine Valley with 18 points and a season-high 17 rebounds. She also had two blocked shots.
Garcia finished with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Freshman forward Taylor Hall, freshman guard Serena Saba and sophomore guard Aaleah Brown each chipped in six points. Hall also had five rebounds and four assists.
Monica Hanna had another big night for the Hornets, posting her 12th double-double of the season with 10 points with 20 rebounds.
Johns led the team with 16 points and Buford was good for 11 points. Nancy De La Cruz dropped in eight points with five assists.
Irvine Valley plays again next Wednesday, hosting Cypress on Homecoming Night at 7 p.m.
