Women's basketball team wins thriller
Nov 14, 2007
The Irvine Valley women's basketball team didn't play its best game of the season Wednesday night.
But the Lasers still pulled out a victory.
Freshman forward Ashley Dunn made a jumper from just left of the free throw line with 1.7 seconds left to break a 65-65 tie and give IVC a 67-65 victory.
Palomar couldn't get off a final shot.
Irvine Valley, now with a record of 3-1 on the season, shot just 33.8 percent from the field (22 of 65) in the game and committed 23 turnovers.
The Lasers also trailed by nine points with a little more than four minutes left. But IVC players didn't give in.
Irvine Valley pulled to within 65-64 on a three-point play by freshman forward Tiffany Smith with 1:25 to play. Smith grabbed an offensive rebound, went up strong to score and was fouled. She then made the free throw.
Smith had a chance to give IVC the lead about a minute later, but her shot was off target and Palomar got the rebound. IVC was forced to foul.
Palomar's Katie Girten missed both free throws with 14.5 seconds left.
IVC sophomore forward Nicole Tait was then fouled by Palomar with 13.3 seconds to play.
Tait missed the first and made the second free throw to tie the game, 65-65.
IVC then tied up Palomar's Sabrina Gonzalez. A jump ball was called and the possession arrow favored the Lasers.
Dunn got her chance to shine a few seconds later. She took a pass from freshman guard Patrice Fuentes on the left side, took a dribble to her right and then pulled up for the game-winner.
Dunn's shot got a kind bounce off the rim and the ball fell in.
It was the second time already this season that Dunn has come through in the clutch. She made a game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds to give IVC a 56-55 win over Antelope Valley in the first round of the San Diego Mesa Tournament last Friday.
IVC was led by Smith, who finished 19 points and 11 rebounds. It was her fourth straight game in double figures scoring and her third double-double of the season.
Sophomore forward Jenna Schonfeld added 12 points. She made 4 of 7 three-pointers. Freshman center D.J. Butler, who was in foul trouble most of the game, still contributed 10 points.
Fuentes chipped in eight assists and five steals. The Lasers had 14 steals as a team.
Palomar (2-3) was led by Gonzalez, who had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists and Nikki Boone, who finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Irvine Valley plays again next Tuesday against Southwestern at 2 p.m. at Irvine Valley. It is part of a doubleheader with the IVC men's team. The Laser men take on Southwestern at 4 p.m.