Irvine Valley too much for the young Cougars

Irvine Valley used its experience, depth, and rebounding advantage to control the afternoon, defeating LA Southwest 69–44 on Saturday at home.

Irvine Valley opened the scoring at 9:43 of the first quarter with a three to make it 3–0, then followed with another at 7:50 for a 6–1 start. LA Southwest kept pace behind steady free-throw shooting, including two makes by Destiny Hurt-Floyd at 1:13 and two more at 0:08 to close the quarter down 15–13. The Cougars struggled to match the Lasers' pace in the second period. Irvine Valley converted inside at 8:48 and 8:00 to push the margin to 21–14, then extended the lead with another inside finish at 0:38. A final layup with 0:30 left in the half sent LA Southwest into the break trailing 36–20.

Southwest found a brief spark in the third. A jumper from Emaya Trahan at 6:58 and a three by Reaganne Agsalud at 6:16 pulled the Cougars within 42–25, but Irvine Valley answered with a three at 2:41 and a layup at the horn to take a 50–30 lead into the fourth. The opening minutes of the final quarter brought another Laser three at 9:41 and a timely score at 2:22 to stretch the margin. The Cougars continued to battle, highlighted by a three from Destiny Hurt-Floyd at 0:47 and two free throws at 0:13, before Irvine Valley added a final basket at the buzzer for the 69–44 result.

LA Southwest was led by Destiny Hurt-Floyd, who finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Kelis Jones added 11 points and five rebounds, while Rian Dillihunt contributed seven points and six rebounds. Emaya Trahan chipped in five points and five boards, and Reaganne Agsalud and LaiLah Whittle each provided three points as the Cougars continued developing against a seasoned opponent.