The Irvine Valley women's basketball team was hoping that the third time would be a charm.
But it wasn't to be Saturday night at Orange Coast in a California Community College Athletic Association SoCal Regional Final.
The Lasers fell to Orange Coast for the third time this season and IVC's season came to a close.
Orange Coast went on a strong run at the end of the third quarter and into the fourth to defeat Irvine Valley, 73-58, and move on to the CCCAA State Championships starting next Thursday at West Hills Lemoore.
"I am so proud of what this team accomplished this season and appreciate all of the love and support that we received," first-year coach Jason Garey said.
The Lasers were ranked in the top 20 in the state all season and ended with a record of 21-9 overall. They also finished third in a strong Orange Empire Conference. The top two teams - Orange Coast and Cypress - each made the state tourney.
Irvine Valley was within 32-30 late in the second quarter after a layup by sophomore guard Kaila Truby, but the Pirates rolled off the final five points of the half.
Karina Cabrera sank a three-pointer with a second left to put the Pirates up by seven heading into the break.
And Orange Coast came out with some hot shooting in the third quarter to take control. Orange Coast outscored Irvine Valley, 19-12 in the third quarter and led, 56-42, heading into the final period.
OCC then led by as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter before winning by 15 points.
Irvine Valley was led by freshman guard Trasara Alexander with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four steals and sophomore guard Kennedy Pucci with 11 points and seven rebounds.
But the Lasers shot just 34.8 percent from the field (24 of 69) as a team on the night and OCC out-rebounded IVC by 10.
Coast also knocked down 14 of 24 free throws compared to only 3 of 4 by Irvine Valley.
Orange Coast was paced by Annie Trinh with 27 points and six rebounds. Meghan McIntyre had 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Cabrera finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Trinh, McIntyre and Cabrera each played all 40 minutes.
