The Irvine Valley women's basketball team had its chances to win its second straight game to open Orange Empire Conference play.
But the Lasers ended up falling in overtime at Saddleback on Friday night.
IVC got off to a slow start and trailed, 19-6, after the first quarter, but pulled within 30-26 at the half.
Saddleback's lead was four heading into the fourth and final quarter when Irvine Valley finally broke through to take the lead.
The Bobcats went scoreless for nearly three minutes to start the quarter and Irvine Valley tied the game at 47-47 when freshman guard Lexy Gallegos made a jumper with 6:33 remaining in the quarter.
The Lasers took the lead (50-49) with 5:32 remaining and had a six-point lead with 3:50 remaining in the game when Saddleback answered.
Makayla Rutledge drilled a three-pointer with 3:38 remaining to cut the deficit to three and Kassidy Beach followed with another three-pointer with 1:09 remaining to even the score at 57-57.
The Bobcats survived the final 32 seconds when Irvine Valley had two chances to win the game but came up empty.
The overtime period belonged to Saddleback with the Bobcats out-scoring the Lasers, 11-4, for the victory.
Irvine Valley's record went to 14-4 overall and 2-0 in conference, while IVC went to 15-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
IVC's biggest downfalls were committing 26 turnovers and sending Saddleback to the free throw line 32 times (24 of 32).
Rutledge finished with a game-high 19 points on 4 of 10 shooting from long range for the Bobcats.
Kalynne Mendez was 10 of 13 from the free throw line to finish with 14 points and a team-high four steals.
Irvine Valley received 16 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks from sophomore wing Alexis Price, 13 points and seven rebounds from sophomore forward Kivonni Williams and 11 points and six rebounds from sophomore forward Gianna DeForest.
The Lasers have a bye from conference play next Wednesday and next play at Orange Coast next Friday at 7 p.m.
