Irvine Valley's men's basketball team had an upset on its mind in an Orange Empire Conference game at Fullerton on Wednesday night.
Irvine Valley led by as many as eight points in the first half and went into the break ahead, 35-29, over Fullerton, which went into the game ranked No. 5 in the state.
But in the end, Fullerton found a way, out-scoring IVC, 36-22, in the second half to come away with a 65-57 victory.
The win improved the Hornets' record to 19-2 overall and 8-2 in conference. Irvine Valley went to 13-8 overall and 3-6 in the OEC.
The contest was the first game of the second round of conference action for the Lasers.
Both IVC and Fullerton came out exchanging baskets and were tied at 14 at the fourteen-minute mark.
Irvine Valley jumped ahead, 28-20, on a three-pointer by freshman forward Colby Waite with 7:13 left in the first half and IVC held a six-point lead at the half.
Fullerton came back in the second half. Irvine Valley still had its chances down the stretch, however. The game was tied at 55 with just under two minutes left to play, but the Hornets' Ronnie Stapp knocked down a three-pointer to put Fullerton up for good.
Irvine Valley sophomore forward Austin Carter answered with a layup to make it a 58-57 lead with 1:19 to go, but Fullerton's Omajae Smith hit a three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining to make it 61-57.
IVC didn't get any closer the rest of the way.
Carter finished with 15 ponits and seven rebounds, sophomore forward Aashad Womack had 10 points and five rebounds and Waite added nine points for IVC.
Smith led all scorers with 16 points for Fullerton, while Harrison Bonner added 13 points.
Irvine Valley plays again on Friday at Golden West at 7 p.m.
