Irvine Valley's women's basketball team came through with big effort when it mattered the most.
The Lasers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Antelope Valley, 59-57, on the road in the first round of the 3C2A So. Cal. Regional Playoffs.
Freshman forward Kivonni Williams hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer off of an assist from sophomore guard Moka Saiki to move Irvine Valley on to the second round.
It was the first playoff win at IVC for first-year head coach Claire Gocke.
Freshman forward Alexis Price led the way for the Lasers with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Saiki and sophomore point guard Haruka Mikuma each ended with 11 points.
Mikuma added three rebounds and seven steals and Saiki had five rebounds and three assists for the Lasers.
Freshman guard Samantha Barnett chipped in eight points and eight rebounds and Williams contributed seven points and six rebounds for Irvine Valley.
The Lasers trailed, 45-43, heading into the fourth quarter
The final period was back and forth.
And the game was tied, 57-57, with 1:47 to play.
Both teams had chances, but missed shots.
Still tied at 57, Antelope Valley's Anthieng Bol came up short with a shot and Price grabbed the rebound with nine seconds left.
Irvine Valley called a 30-seccond timeout to move the ball to half court to put the ball back in play.
Mikuma set up Williams and she delivered with the dagger jumper at the buzzer.
IVC out-scored Antelope Valley, 16-12, in the fourth quarter.
Irvine Valley now moves on to face Orange Empire Conference rival Orange Coast, ranked No. 3 in the state, at OCC in the second round on Saturday at 7 p.m.
