SANTA ANA - The Dons made a furious comeback attempt late in their Orange Empire Conference game against Irvine Valley College but were unable to overcome the early deficit, losing to the Lasers 75-71.

With the loss, the Dons fall to 11-5 on the season while also dropping to 1-1 in conference competition. Irvine Valley improves its season mark to 9-7 and 1-1.

After shooting 58% in the first half, the Lasers held a 51-38 lead over the Dons who managed to shoot 44% in the half. Aiding that early lead was 60% shooting from behind the three-point line while also hitting all nine free throw attempts in the half.

But the Dons wouldn't surrender the home court easily, staging a second half rally in an attempt to avoid their first loss in conference.

The second half was nearly halfway over by the time the Dons cut IVC's lead into single digits. That feat was accomplished at the 11:17 mark when Chase Miller buried a three-pointer to pull the Dons within seven points. Terryn Large followed with a lay-up to make the Lasers lead just five before IVC scored the next three points to pull the lead back up to eight.

Later in the half, Kevin Ramirez scored a lay-up to cut the Lasers lead to three with IVC's Shaquille Hunter answering with a lay-up of his own. After a Ramirez free-throw pulled the Dons within four, Large got a steal and a quick lay-up to put the Dons one field goal away from tying the game.

However, time was not on the Dons side as the Lasers used a pair of Zach Mills free throws with 23 seconds left to establish a four-point lead. It took the Dons 16 seconds to get their next shot off, managing just an offensive rebound and put-back by Vincent Gomez to make the score 73-71 with four seconds left. JR Parker was immediately fouled and converted both of his free throws to seal the victory for the Lasers.

Ramirez led the Dons with 15 points as Large and Martin Kim each scored 10 points apiece as the only Dons in double digits. Hunter led the way for IVC with a game-high 19 points as four of the Lasers starters scored in double digits. Michael Bolden had 14, Mills 13 and Parker 10 while Dathon Spencer added 11 points off the bench.

The Dons hit the road for their next game, traveling to Fullerton College on Friday.