Irvine Valley's men's basketball team led for all but 16 seconds of Friday night's key Orange Empire Conference game at Riverside.
But it was the final 16 seconds that counted most. Jabari Harris capped a furious comeback with a steal and layup for the Tigers in a 78-76 RCC victory over the Lasers.
The loss was Irvine Valley's second straight and dropped its record to 12-6 overall and 2-2 in conference.
Riverside improved to 11-7 overall and 3-1 in the OEC.
Irvine Valley was up by as many as 16 points in the second half and led by 10 points with just under five minutes left in the contest, but Riverside went on a 14-4 run to tie the game, 76-76, with 35 seconds remaining.
And then Harris made a play to win it.
IVC freshman point guard Santos Cordero tried a three-pointer with nine seconds to play, but it was off the mark and Harris grabbed the rebound to secure the victory.
Irvine Valley was led by freshman guard Ahmad Alhammouri with 24 points (9 of 15 from the field) and sophomore guard Yanis Alduguer with 12 points.
Sophomore guard Sam Meza-Tallada added 11 points and five reounds and freshman center Zeno Calastas contributed seven points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The Lasers out-rebounded the Tigers, 38-31, but ended with 16 turnovers and allowed Riverside to shoot 50.9 percent (27 of 53) as a team for the game.
Kollen Murphy scored a career-high 30 points (10 for 17) while dishing out four assists. Kavon Ray added 15 points (5 for 7) and also had four assists on the night.
Irvine Valley plays again next Wednesday in a conference game at Orange Coast at 5 p.m. and is home again next Friday at 5 p.m. vs. Santa Ana.
