SANTA ANA, Calif. - SAC Men's Basketball defeated the Irvine Valley Lasers (15-13, 7-8) for the third time this season to advance to the winners bracket of the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Men's Basketball Tournament. 

The Dons (17-11, 7-8) held the Lasers to just 37.7 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from three while forcing 18 turnovers in their 67-59 win. 

IVC kept it close, pulling with one point off a Matt Mowers free throw at the 9:13 mark in the second half. But SAC responded by going on a 12-1 run in a four minute span to expand that lead to 53-44. 

A few buckets in the paint and clutch free throws helped the Dons close out the game, giving them their 17th win of the season and seventh in OEC play to jump ahead of the Lasers in the standings. 

It was a balanced scoring night for Santa Ana but freshman guard Camron Swist was the most effective, scoring 13 to go with three assists and two boards. Sophomore guard Mac West was right behind him with 10 points and five assists while Ja'Von Maxwell added 10 points off the bench. 

SAC will now prepare to face the No. 15 ranked Fullerton Hornets. The season series is tied at 1-1 between these two teams after the Dons upset the Hornets 75-68 in late January.