The Santa Ana College (SAC) men's basketball team lost its first Orange Empire Conference game of the season 46-40 to Irvine Valley College.

The game started off slow as neither team was able to find its range, playing to a 5-5 tie eight minutes into the game. The offensive woes continued through the half as the Dons (7-8, 1-1) took a 21-19 lead on 35% shooting compared to IVC's (14-3, 1-0) 25%.

The early stat of the game belonged to the Lasers who failed to make a three-point basket, going 0-for-12 in the half. The Dons also struggled from long range, making just one three-point basket on eight attempts.

The slow play continued into the second half as the teams traded the lead several times before the Dons held a 27-26 lead with 14:24 remaining in the half.

The turning point of the game came moments later when the Dons bench was given a technical foul after a personal foul was called. Irvine Valley converted three of the four free throws to take a 29-27 lead with 12:59 left in the game.

The Lasers continued to pull away, scoring 10-straight points capped off by a Michael Bolden dunk to take a 36-27 lead. The Dons got as close as four points late, but the Lasers held on for the 46-40 victory.

Kacy Barlow led all scorers in the loss with 13 points with IVC's Bolden and Jose Vasquez the only other scorers in double digits with 10 points apiece.