The Irvine Valley women's basketball team earned a hard-fought win in the first game on Orange Empire Conference play, 51-49, on its home floor Jan. 7.
On Friday night, it was Cypress' turn.
The Chargers out-scored the Lasers, 15-11, in the fourth quarter and came away with a 54-47 conference victory at Cypress.
The Cypress win created a logjam for second place in the OEC.
Irvine Valley, Cypress and Orange Coast are all tied with records of 5-2.
Cypress set the tone early, jumping out to a 16–10 lead after the first quarter and maintaining control through the first half.
Irvine Valley kept the pressure on throughout the game, but the Chargers answered with timely stops and key baskets, especially in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
IVC shot just 36.2 percent (17 of 47) from the floor for the game.
Sophomore wing player Alexis Price finished with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks and sophomore forward Kivonni Williams and sophomore guard Symantha Barnett each added 10 points.
Williams also had six rebounds.
Mariah Henderson led all scorers with 21 points for Cypress.
Christaesha Jackson posted a strong double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Chargers.
IVC plays again next Wednesday, hosting first-place Saddleback at 7 p.m.
