Irvine Valley Recovers From Bad Start to Beat Fullerton

Irvine Valley survived a shaky first half and pulled away from visiting Fullerton in the final two minutes of the second half to win, 73-60, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday.

Fullerton’s pressure defense forced 13 first-half turnovers, but the Hornets couldn’t pull away because of the shooting of Irvine Valley reserve Mike Scaglione, who had 12 points, including three three-pointers.

Fullerton still was ahead, 30-26, at the half, but the lead was gone about three minutes into the second half. Irvine Valley turned the ball over seven times in the second half. Irvine Valley took the lead for good, 49-47, on a basket by Scaglione.

Scaglione added another key basket off an assist from Brad Thornton to put the Lasers ahead, 65-59, with 1 minute 8 seconds left. Irvine Valley outscored Fullerton, 8-0, in the last 54 seconds of the game.

Irvine Valley (15-5, 3-0) was able to prevent a Fullerton comeback by making 12 of 14 free throws in the final five minutes. Irvine Valley made its final eight free throws--four each by Robert Griffin and reserve Ben Esplin, who had 11 of his 16 points in the second half. Griffin had 11 of his 13 points in the second half and also had eight assists in the game.

“Once we stopped [turning the ball over],” Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said, “I knew we would be in good shape.”

Guard Erick Ashe had 20 points for second-place Fullerton (14-5, 2-1) but only seven in the second half as Irvine Valley’s defensive pressure on Ashe increased.

“I thought we did a great job of not letting Ashe get many very good looks in the second half,” Hernandez said.

Ben Sanders, who averages 18 points, was limited to eight points.