Pirates learn lesson and top Lasers in OT

COSTA MESA -- The Orange Coast College men's basketball team might have found a rainbow in last week's dark-cloud overtime loss to Cypress as the Pirates showed poise down the stretch and topped visiting Irvine Valley College in OT, 74-67, on Wednesday, inside the Peterson Gym.

It was another dominating performance for sophomore guard/forward Jamaal Lee, who overcame a gash over his right eyelid and scored 24 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out six assists to lead the way for the Pirates (8-9, 2-1 in Orange Empire Conference). Ryan Fusco added 15 points, while Josh Mendoza and Ibrahim Gerlach added eight points each.

For the Lasers (12-7, 0-3), Jacob Dean had 12 points, while Jacob Short and Zach Harvey came off the bench and scored 11 points each.

IVC came out hot to start the contest and scored the game's first eight points for the Lasers' biggest lead of the game, but OCC would regroup and begin to chip away. A 25-8 run by the Pirates followed Irvine Valley's early run and Coast led, 25-16. OCC would maintain its nine-point advantage into halftime, but the Lasers would answer back.

Early in the second half, Coast's lead would grow to 13 at 45-32 before IVC would force overtime by closing out the game with a 29-16 run. A Harvey dunk with 24 seconds left capped off the run and brought the Lasers all the way back, forcing another overtime session for the Pirates.

But this time, OCC would not be denied. After Cypress led, 64-62, Fusco drained a 3-pointer with 3:56 left, putting OCC up 65-64. Chris Lott followed up with a made layup to put Cypress ahead, 66-65, with 3:35 left, but that would be the last made field goal the Chargers would have the rest of the way.

Coast maintained composure down the stretch and nailed 8-of-14 free-throw attempts in the overtime session before Lee iced the game in the final seconds with a clutch steal and breakaway layup.

Wednesday's win over the Lasers snapped IVC's 13-game head-to-head win streak over the Pirates, dating all the way back to the 2008-09 season.

OCC will play at Fullerton College on Friday, at 5 p.m. Coast's next home game will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 27 against Saddleback, also at 5 p.m.