The Irvine Valley women's basketball team, ranked No. 11 in the state, improved its record to 18-3 overall and 4-1 in the Orange Empire Conference after a 48-45 victory over No. 25 Santa Ana on Friday night.
The game was tight throughout and Irvine Valley trailed most of the way.
The Lasers were down by two points at the half and trailed, 32-30, heading into the fourth quarter.
But IVC out-scored the Dons, 18-13, in the fourth period for the close win.
Irvine Valley took the lead for good at 42-41 with 3:07 left in the game. Sophomore wing Kivonni Williams grabbed a defensive rebound off a Santa Ana miss and went the length of the court for a layup.
The Lasers then went up, 44-41, on layup by sophomore guard Symantha Barnett off an assist by sophomore forward Neryah Lokeni with 1:33 remaining.
Santa Ana pulled back within a point on a basket by Anaya Beard.
Another layup by Barnett put IVC ahead, 46-43, with 54 seconds to play.
Beard scored again for the Dons and it was a one-point game at 46-45.
Barnett followed with one free throw to make it 47-45 and after a Don miss, Irvine Valley freshman guard Princess Mendoza was fouled and made one of two free throws with four seconds left on the clock to put Irvine Valley up by three.
Santa Ana tried a long-distance three pointer, but it came up well short to end things.
Barnett ended with 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two blocks and sophomore wing Alexis Price contributed 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks for the Lasers.
Beard and Kimberly Limon each had 12 points for Santa Ana. Beard had 11 rebounds and Limon chipped in eight rebounds.
Irvine Valley plays again next Wednesday hosting Fullerton at 7 p.m.
