Women's basketball team picks up first conference win
Jan 16, 2008
Members of the Irvine Valley women's basketball team were all smiles again Wednesday night.
After two rough losses to open Orange Empire Conference play, the Lasers earned their first conference win.
And they did it in dramatic fashion. Irvine Valley fought-back from a 17-point halftime deficit to beat Riverside, 68-65, at Riverside.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 12-7 overall and 1-2 in conference.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for Riverside (9-11, 2-1).
Riverside was nearly perfect in the first half, making seven three-pointers and shooting 43.2 percent from the floor to open a 44-27 lead.
But the Lasers battled back in the second half. Irvine Valley held Riverside to just 19.4 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes.
Irvine Valley cut the lead to four points twice in the second half. Each time Riverside answered.
But with 3:11 remaining in the game, Irvine Valley managed to tie the game at 61-61 when sophomore guard Jenna Schonfeld made a layup and Riverside was called for an intentional foul.
Schonfeld stepped to the line and made one of two free throws to tie it.
After exchanging baskets down the stretch, Irvine Valley went ahead for good with 38 seconds remaining.
Freshman guard Patrice Fuentes made two free throws to give the Lasers a 66-65 lead.
Sophomore forward Nicole Tate added an insurance basket with 14 seconds remaining for IVC. Riverside had an attempt at forcing overtime, but LeNiece Arevalo's three-pointer was long.
Earlier in the game she had made four three-pointers.
Schonfeld led all scorers with 19 points. Freshman center DJ Butler added 14 points and 12 rebounds, freshman guard Raycie Haley had 11 points and Fuentes finished with nine points, four rebounds and three assists for IVC.
Tait also had a solid game for the Lasers, contributing seven points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Riverside was led by Kymberly Ooten with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday at Santa Ana at 7:30 p.m.