Houser Leads Irvine Valley Past Cypress

Matt Houser got a rare chance to start and took full advantage of it in leading host Irvine Valley to a 61-58 victory over Cypress Wednesday in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game.

Houser, a 6-foot-7 freshman forward, took the place of Brandon Hearvey, who didn’t start because he had missed Monday’s practice.

Houser’s play was most impressive in the second half as he helped Irvine Valley overcome a 12-point halftime deficit. Houser had a team-high 14 points, 11 of which came in the second half.

He was six of six from the field, including two three-pointers. His short jumper gave Irvine Valley the lead for good, 49-48, with 5 minutes 39 seconds remaining.

“He did an incredible job,” Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said. “We probably won because of him.”

Cypress (12-10, 4-3 in conference) dominated early, making its first four three-pointers. The Chargers led, 22-8, with 13:35 left in the first half.

But in the second half, Cypress got impatient, no longer passing until an open man could be found. Cypress had made 15 of 27 shots in the first half but was only six of 21 in the second half.

Allen Fletcher had eight of his 11 points in the second half and J.C. Timmons had seven of his 11 in the second half for Irvine Valley (19-6, 6-1).

Hearvey had 10 points, including two free throws with 20 seconds left, to put Irvine Valley ahead, 59-55. He made a dunk with seven seconds left.

Kevin Morris had 17 points, including five three-pointers, for Cypress. Teammate Willie Allen had 11, all in the first half.

In other conference games:

Fullerton 95, Orange Coast 73--Brian Montonati had a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds and Ty-Juan Berry had 12 points and eight assists for first-place Fullerton (14-9, 7-0).

Adrian Reyes scored 18 points for Orange Coast (11-12, 2-5).

Riverside 85, Golden West 67--Jacy Armbruster had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Rustlers, who trailed, 41-25, at halftime.

Saddleback 72, Rancho Santiago 54--Saddleback broke open a three-point game by outscoring Rancho Santiago, 43-28, in the second half. Lief Kemp scored 15 points for Saddleback (12-10, 3-4).

Lohnnie Tape scored 23 points for Rancho Santiago (12-10, 1-6).