Fullerton Women Beat Irvine Valley in Overtime

Sophomore Aimee Copp of Fullerton missed a chance to beat Irvine Valley when her driving shot at the end of regulation rolled off the rim.

But Copp had much more success in overtime, scoring eight points as Fullerton won its women’s basketball tournament Tuesday with an 80-68 victory over Irvine Valley.

Copp finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and was selected the tournament’s most valuable player.

Her performance was key because at 6 feet 2 she is not only the tallest player on the team but the only one on the roster that isn’t listed as a guard.

Fullerton (14-5) also got outstanding play from Paula Flores, who had 25 points, including making seven of seven free throws. Angie Baca and Flores each had four points in overtime as Fullerton outscored Irvine Valley, 16-4, in the extra five minutes.

Irvine Valley (12-3) forced overtime when freshman guard Phouangmaly Pravongvienkham made a three-pointer, despite being double-teamed, with five seconds left in regulation to tie it, 64-64.

Irvine Valley’s Heather Cunningham (14 points) got her fourth foul with 11 minutes left and sat for almost eight minutes. She returned and fouled out with 2 minutes 36 seconds left.

In the third-place game:

Cypress 59, Riverside 43--It was the 100th victory for Cypress Coach Kevin Kiernan, who has a 100-74 record midway through his sixth season. Stephanie Durrett scored 18 points and Nancy Love had 13, including three three-pointers in the second half for Cypress (13-6).

In the College of the Desert women’s basketball tournament:

Santa Ana 73, San Bernardino 68--Shanna Renken, who was named the tournament MVP, scored 25 points for Santa Ana in the championship game. Nekeda Allen scored 10 points and had 16 rebounds for the Dons (12-2).

In nonconference men’s basketball:

Fullerton 64, West Los Angeles 52--Nick Bates led a balanced scoring attack for host Fullerton with 10 points. B.J. Smith had nine points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets (11-4).