The Irvine Valley women's basketball team started the 2008-09 season off on a good note with a win in their first game.

The Lasers defeated Grossmont, 73-59, Friday afternoon in their opening contest of the San Diego Mesa Tip-Off Tournament.

IVC moves on to face Rio Hondo in the second round of the even on Saturday. Rio Hondo defeated Cerritos.

It wasn't such a great opener for the IVC men's team. The Lasers, who are ranked eighth in the state in the latest poll, lost a close game at Palomar, 77-73. The Comets made 14 three-pointers in the contest.

Irvine Valley heads back down to the San Diego area on Saturday to face Miracosta in another non-conference game at 6 p.m.

A round-up of IVC women's games at the tourney in San Diego, a report of the men's game on Saturday and previews for both squads will be posted next Monday.