The Irvine Valley men's basketball team couldn't make it two Orange Empire Conference victories in a row.

But the Lasers came close.

They battled Riverside, which is ranked second in the state, down to the final minute.

The Lasers came back from 12 points down (64-52) with 3:33 left to tie the game, 66-66, with 1:16 to play on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Jeff Ledbetter.

The three-pointer was part of an 8-0 run that featured two three-pointers by Ledbetter and a lay-up by sophomore forward Brandon Hucks. Freshman guard Andrew Arnold had two steals and two assists during that time.

But Riverside (23-6, 7-2) took the lead back for good at 68-66 with 46 seconds to play on a jumper by David Norris. 

Ledbetter missed a three-pointer with 34 seconds left and the Lasers (11-17, 1-8) were forced to foul.

Riverside made three of four free throws down the stretch for the final score.

Robbie Robinson had 27 points, nine rebounds and four steals to lead Riverside. Daniel Redmon finished with 12 points and four assists and Deondrae Lewis had 10 points and seven rebounds. He was 8 of 10 from the free throw line.

Riverside shot 18 and made 13 more free throws than IVC in the game.

Riverside shot 40.7 percent for the game (22 of 54) and was 75.0 percent from the line (21 of 28).

IVC shot 40.0 percent (24 of 60) from the field and was 10 of 26 on three-pointers (38.5 percent).

Ledbetter led the way with 23 points, three assists and two steals. He was 5 of 14 from three-point range. Sophomore forward Jon Reed finished with 16 points and six assists. 

Reed helped the Lasers get off to a good start in the first half.
He had 11 points in the half. The game was tied at the break, 33-33.

Sophomore Brandon Hucks contributed 13 points for the Lasers.

IVC plays its final home game of the season next Wednesday, hosting Saddleback at 5:30 p.m. It is also homecoming.