Irvine Valley's women's basketball team started Orange Empire Conference play with a 51-49 win over Cypress in the Orange Empire Conference opener Wednesday night at home.
Cypress was ranked No. 8 in the latest California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll and IVC came in at No. 10.
The Lasers led, 30-21, at the half, and, 48-38, after three quarters, but had to hold on in the end for the triumph.
Cypress scored the first seven points of the fourth period and made it a 48-45 game on a basket by Marina Leiva with 5:19 to play.
The Lasers responded with a three-pointer by freshman guard Symantha Barnett to push their lead to 51-45.
Leiva made another basket and after a layup by Mariah Henderson, the Chargers were within 51-49 with 2:23 left.
Both teams had chances to score the rest of the way, but the ball didn't fall the rest of the way and the Lasers ended up with the two-point win.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 15-2 overall and Cypress fell to 13-4.
For IVC, sophomore forward Kivonni Williams paced the squad with 14 points and five rebounds.
Sophomore wing Alexis Price had 10 points, four rebounds and four steals and Barnett finished with seven points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Sophomore post player Gianna DeForest had a solid game with six points, five rebounds and some great defense all night.
And freshman guard Princess Mendoza also contributed with seven points, five assists and two steals.
Cypress was led by Chritaesha Jackson, who finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds and three steals.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday in a conference game against No. 22 Saddleback at 7 p.m.
