Irvine Valley's men's basketball hit on all cylinders, especially on the defensive end of the floor in a 76-48, Orange Empire Conference win over Santa Ana on Monday night at home.
With the win, IVC improved its record to 14-7 overall and 6-4 in the OEC. Santa Ana slipped to 4-15 overall and 1-8 in conference.
Irvine Valley, ranked No. 18 in the state in the latest CCCMBCA poll, pulled away midway through the first half. The Lasers led, 37-21, at the break and out-scored a short-handed Santa Ana squad, 39-27, in the second half.
IVC's largest lead was 32 points late in the game.
The Lasers did it with defense.
Irvine Valley helped hold Santa Ana to 30.6 percent (19 of 62) from the field as a team and 5.0 percent (1 of 20) from three-point range in the game.
IVC also got big contributions from its reserves. The Lasers' bench out-scored Santa Ana, 34-12.
Starter and leading scorer Luc Krystkowiak, a sophomore guard, led Irvine Valley with 20 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the field, including going 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. He added eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in 24 minutes.
Freshman forward Charlie Henderson added 10 points and eight rebounds, and sophomore guard Aaron Strings and freshman guard Anthony Smetona each finished with nine points. It was a season-high for Smetona.
Freshman post player Garrett Andre chipped in eight points and five rebounds for the Lasers. Freshman guard Brian Mendoza also had a nice game with five points and four assists.
Irvine Valley shot 47.5 percent as a team and out-rebounded Santa Ana, 47-34.
Santa Ana got 15 points from Camren Johnson in the defeat.
Irvine Valley plays again on Wednesday, hosting Orange Coast in a conference game at 5 p.m.
Unfortunately fans are not allowed at this time due to district and college policy. But the game will be streamed at (6) Irvine Valley College Athletics | Facebook
