Irvine Valley's men's vbasketball team, seeded No. 19, played right with third-seed Cerritos before losing in overtime, 84-76, in the second round of the 3C2A So. Cal. Regional Playoffs on the road.
IVC wrapped up the season with a record of 17-13 overall.
After a tightly contested 40 minutes that featured multiple lead changes and momentum swings, Cerritos locked in during the overtime period and seized control of the game.
Irvine Valley trailed, 37-24, at halftime, but out-scored the Falcons, 45-32, in the second half.
The Lasers were behind by as many as 17 points in the final 20 minutes.
IVC pulled within 67-66 with 2:23 left on a jumper by sophomore guard Yanis Aldeguer.
And the Lasers tied the game at 69-69 on a three-pointer by sophomore post player Matt Mowers with 34 seconds left in regulation.
Irvine Valley had a chance at the buzzer to win it, but freshman guard Ahmad Alhammouri's layup attempt was off the mark.
Aldeguer led Irvine Valley with 26 points and five rebounds. He made 9 of 13 shots, including 4 of 6 on three-pointers.
Mowers ended with 23 points and five rebounds in 41 minutes and sophomore wing Nate Tuttle finished 10 points and four rebounds.
IVC shot 45.5 percent (25 of 55) from the field as a team.
Cerritos shot an efficient 48.4 percent from the field and dominated the glass, including 12 offensive boards that proved crucial in extended possessions.
The Falcons also forced 15 turnovers and came up with nine steals, turning defensive pressure into key scoring opportunities.
Dorian Tate led the charge for the Falcons with 19 points on 7 of 11 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds.
Kamaury Washington added 16 points and three assists and David Mack chipped in 12 points, while Blake Brewer added 11 points.
Cerritos hosts No. 6 Santiago Canyon in a regional final next Saturday.
With the win, the Falcons punched their ticket to the next round of the 3C2A playoffs where they will face off against the 6-seeded Santiago Canyon on March 7th at Cerritos College.
