Irvine Valley Rallies, Then Holds On to Beat Rustlers

Three players each made two free throws in the final 20 seconds to help Irvine Valley hold off host Golden West, 70-66, in an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday.

Golden West led, 47-39, with 13 minutes 18 seconds left in the game but Irvine Valley started to reel in the Rustlers by increasing defensive pressure.

It also didn’t hurt that the Lasers were playing offense in front of their bench.

“[Golden West] really disrupted us,” Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said. “It wasn’t until the second half that we could see exactly what they were doing and break it down.”

Irvine Valley (14-4, 1-0) took the lead for good on a free throw by Commander King with 3:18 to play. Craig Rice followed a Golden West turnover with a three-pointer to put the Lasers ahead, 62-58, with 2:45 to play.

King then made two free throws with 20 seconds left to give the Lasers a 66-62 lead. Earl Sanchez made his two with 11 seconds left for a 68-64 lead and Rice’s two free throws came with three seconds left and were the final points of the game.

Ben Esplin scored 26 for Irvine Valley and Travis Fenderson had 18, all on three-pointers, for Golden West (5-11, 0-1).