Irvine Valley's women's basketball team fell behind early and lost an important Orange Empire Conference game, 72-55, at Cypress on Friday night.
The Lasers and Chargers were basically in a tie for second place in the conference standings.
Cypress, ranked 15th in the state, now has the edge moving its record to 19-7 overall and 7-3 in the OEC. No. 16 Irvine Valley went to 19-8 overall and 7-4 in conference.
Cypress led by five points at the end of the first quarter and was ahead, 37-27, at the break.
The Chargers extended their lead to 12 points early in the third quarter on a basket by Alexcia Alvarez.
Irvine Valley couldn't answer the rest of the way.
Ashley Hawkins led Cypress with 34 points, six rebounds and four assists and Alvarez had 10 points and four assists.
Irvine Valley was paced by freshman guard Trasara Alexander with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kaila Truby added 12 points and four rebounds.
Sophomore guard Kennedy Pucci and freshman guard Emily Freeman chipped in nine points each. Pucci also had eight rebounds.
Irvine Valley plays again on Tuesday, hosting Fullerton at 5 p.m. It is sophomore night and the last game of the regular season for the Lasers.
