The Irvine Valley women's basketball team not only celebrated some super sophomores on Thursday night, but also won another important game to keep the Lasers in the playoff race.
IVC defeated district rival Saddleback, 72-44, in an Orange Empire Conference game at home.
Irvine Valley improved its record to 14-12 overall and 6-4 in conference. Saddleback went to 7-19 overall and 0-10 in the OEC.
Before the game started, the Lasers honored sophomores Avril Ho, Moka Saiki, Sariah Loftis and Haruka Mikuma.
Irvine Valley led, 17-13, after the first quarter, but the second period put the game away for the Lasers.
IVC out-scored the Bobcats, 26-8, to take a 43-21 advantage into the second half.
Irvine Valley won the second half, 29-23, to come away with the 28-point win.
The Lasers got a big game from freshman guard Samantha Barnett, who finished with a season-high 27 points on 11 of 20 shooting from the field and making 5 of 6 free throws.
She added eight rebounds, two assists, five steals and one block.
Freshman foward Neryah Lokeni added 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists and Saiki had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Irvine Valley freshman wing Kivonni Williams also contributed nine points and an impressive 10 rebounds.
IVC plays again next Wednesday at Fullerton in an important OEC match-up.
The Lasers end the regular season next Friday (Feb. 21) at home against No. 3 in the state Orange Coast at 5 p.m.
