Irvine Valley Loses Steam but Holds On to Beat Dons

Irvine Valley blew most of a 10-point lead in the final three minutes but hung on to beat host Santa Ana, 71-68, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Friday.

Santa Ana got the ball with five seconds left and guard Jimmy Alapag was going to attempt a three-pointer while driving. He never got the shot up because he collided with Irvine Valley’s Commander King.

King ended up on the floor. Alapag was bent over and most everyone else was looking at the officials but neither was willing to call a foul either way as time ran out.

Irvine Valley’s Donald Williams had consecutive tip-ins that put Irvine Valley up, 64-54, with 3 minutes 8 seconds left. Williams had 13 of his team-high 17 points in the second half.

Santa Ana (9-9, 1-1) then went on an 8-0 run keyed by three-pointers by Lohnnie Tape (19 points) and Mark Saukkola (13 points) and to get as close as two points.

But Irvine Valley (13-5, 2-0) made seven of eight free throws in one-and-one situations to stay ahead. Robert Griffin, who scored his 10 points in the second half, was four of four on free throws in the last 46 seconds.

Tape made a basket, was fouled and made the free throw with six seconds left to cut the Irvine Valley lead to 70-68. Irvine Valley’s Ben Esplin was fouled a second later on the inbounds pass but made one of two free throws.

It was the fourth victory in five games for Irvine Valley and also the second consecutive conference victory on the road.

“I feel now we’re back on track,” Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said. “We’re down to a good rotation.”