Irvine Valley's women's basketball team scored a big win over Saddleback in an Orange Empire Conference game on Wednesday night at home.
It was a contest between two of the top four teams in the conference and two teams ranked in the top 12 in the latest state poll.
The Lasers won the first and second quarters to go up, 30-20, at halftime and were up by as many as 24 points late in the third period.
Irvine Valley, ranked No. 10 in the state, earned its 20th win of the year and moved to 20-4 overall and 6-2 in conference.
No. 12 Saddleback slipped to 18-6 overall and 6-2 in the OEC.
IVC was led by sophomore standout Symantha Barnett, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block on the night.
Sophomore post player Gianna DeForest added 15 points and seven rebounds and sophomore wing Alexis Price contributed nine points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
Sophomore forward Kivonni Williams also had a strong game and hit a couple of big three pointers in the second half. She ended with eight points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Lasers were also solid on the defensive end, holding the Bobcats to just 28.8 percent (17 of 59) shooting from the floor as a team in the game.
Saddleback had Nina Saiki score 15 points, making two three pointers and Kalynne Mendez contributed 12 points, three rebounds and two steals.
The Lasers have a bye on Friday and then host two games next week.
IVC hosts Riverside in a conference game on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and then plays state winner and always dangerous Orange Coast in another 7 p.m. home contest next Thursday.
