The Irvine Valley women's basketball team closed out the 2022-23 regular season on a high note Tuesday night at home.
The Lasers, ranked No. 16 in the state, captured their 20th win of the season, defeating Fullerton, 63-47.
They also celebrated sophomores Alara Ersu, Kennedy Pucci, Kaila Truby, Mia Stewart and Giselle Martinez.
IVC (20-8, 8-4) remained in third place in the Orange Empire Conference standings. IVC trails Cypress by a half game for second. Cypress closes its regular season on Thursday at Fullerton.
Irvine Valley never trailed in the contest Tuesday night.
The Lasers scored the first 10 points of the game and never looked back.
IVC led, 15-10, at the end of the first quarter.
Fullerton pulled within 15-14 two minutes into the seconc quarter on a basket by Angela Zendejas.
But Irvine Valley ran off 10 of the next 12 points and went ahead, 25-16, on a layup by freshman center Daphne Rudis.
The Lasers led, 29-23, at the half and then pulled away in the third quarter.
A three-pointer by Pucci put IVC up, 36-25, with 7:05 left in the period.
Truby made a layup to give Irvine Valley a 44-29, with 4:17 remaining.
Irvine Valley took a 45-35 lead into the final quarter.
And IVC went ahead by as many as 18 points in the fourth period before winning by 16.
Pucci had a team-high 20 points and added six rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Trasara Alexander chipped in 16 points and 12 rebounds and freshman guard Emily Freeman had 11 points in the win.
Truby contributed four points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.
For Fullerton, Zendejas finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals and Tia Jaquias had eight points and four rebounds.
The Lasers now await for So. Cal. Regional Playoff pairnings, which will be announced this weekend.
More photos from tonight's sophomore celebration ceremony will be posted on Wednesday.
