The Irvine Valley women's basketball team continued to make moves in the Orange Empire Conference on Wednesday night at home.
The Lasers defeated a tough Riverside squad, 65-48, playing strong defense all night long and getting solid performances from several players.
The win improved IVC's record to 10-9 overall and 2-1 in conference, while Riverside fell to 9-10 overall and 1-2 in conference.
IVC led, 33-27, at the half behind 12 points by sophomore point guard Haruka Mikuma.
Irvine Valley showed its mettle in the second half in the win.
And the Lasers outscored the Tigers by 12 points in the second half.
Irvine Valley won the third quarter, 16-13, and then put the game away early in the fourth quarter.
Up, 49-40, the Lasers eight of the first 10 points. IVC went ahead, 57-42, on a layup by freshman guard Samantha Barnett off an assist by sophomore guard Moka Saiki with 6:55 to play.
Barnett and Saiki each scored 14 points in the win.
Barnett was a star also with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Saiki added three rebounds and three assists.
Mikuma also had four rebounds and three assists and freshman forward Gianna DeForest ended with a season-best 15 rebounds (4 offensive, 11 defensive) with eight points and a block on the night.
Irvine Valley has a bye on Friday, but will be back in action next Wednesday in a conference contest at Saddleback at 5 p.m.