Men's basketball team ends season with tough loss to Cypress

Courtesy of On My Game Photography
Courtesy of On My Game Photography

Irvine Valley's men's basketball team led for most of the game on Thursday night in its final contest of the 2022-23 season.

But Cypress stormed back over the final eight minutes and earned a 44-42 Orange Empire Conference victory in Hart Gym.

Allen Wright broke a 42-42 tie with a layup with 0.8 seconds left to push the Chargers on to the win.

With the victory, Cypress remained in a tie for second-place in conference and should make the So. Cal. Regional Playoffs.

Cypress improved its record to 17-11 overall and 10-6 in the OEC. Irvine Valley ended its year with a record of 5-23 overall and 1-15 in conference.

Irvine Valley led, 29-24, at the half and was up by as many as 12 points in the second half.

The Lasers took a 38-26 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore post player Charlie Henderson with 14:27 remaining in the game.

But Irvine Valley managed to score just four points the rest of the contest.

IVC took a 41-37 lead on a three-pointer by freshman guard Luke Farrington with 4:43 to go.

Cypress tied the game at 42 on three free throws by Blake Ballard with 1:22 left.

IVC's Henderson missed a jumper with 17 seconds remaining and after a timeout, Cypress was able to get the ball inside to Wright, who finished strong at the rim.

Irvine Valley was paced by Henderson with 11 points and eight rebounds. Freshman wing Marcus Carter and Farrington each finished with six points and Farrington also contributed a season-high 13 rebounds.

Grant Sii had 15 points, three assists and two steals, Ballard finished with 12 points and Hadi Essayli ended with 17 rebounds for the Chargers.

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