WALNUT, Calif. (Interstat) — Dayvon Gates scored 30 points and Jaidyn Simpson added 24 as Mount San Antonio pulled away in the second half for a 98-84 victory over Irvine Valley in a non-conference men’s junior college basketball game Friday night.

The Mounties, playing at home, used a decisive 57-point second half to overcome a halftime deficit and improve their season record to 8-2. The Lasers fell to 8-4.

The most important part of the game was a sustained offensive surge by Mount San Antonio midway through the second half that turned a tight contest into a comfortable lead. After Irvine Valley’s Santos Cordero hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 68 with 10:51 remaining, the Mounties responded with a 13-2 run over the next three minutes. The run was fueled by defensive pressure and efficient scoring, including a layup and free throws from Gates, a 3-pointer from Simpson, and a tip-in from Omari Abdallah. This burst gave Mount San Antonio a 79-70 advantage and control of the game, as Irvine Valley could not mount a sustained response.

Gates, the top star for the Mounties, filled the stat sheet beyond his scoring, adding three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Simpson contributed six rebounds and six assists to his 24 points. Ryan Wheeler provided a strong interior presence with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Irvine Valley was led by Matt Mowers with 14 points and seven rebounds. Yanis Aldeguer scored 16 points, all in the second half, and Garrett Trayer added 12 points.

The game was a tale of two halves and contrasting styles. Irvine Valley relied on perimeter shooting, making 13 of 33 from 3-point range, and took a 39-41 lead into halftime. Mount San Antonio dominated inside, shooting 60.4% from the floor overall and attempting 43 free throws, making 28. The Mounties also capitalized on Lasers mistakes, scoring 23 points off 16 Irvine Valley turnovers while committing only 10 themselves.

Mount San Antonio’s offensive efficiency was key, scoring 98 points on 77 possessions for a rating of 126.6, while Irvine Valley posted a 109.7 offensive rating with its 84 points on the same number of possessions.

The win extends Mount San Antonio’s momentum, having now won three straight. Irvine Valley saw a two-game winning streak snapped.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Mount San Antonio was projected with a 73.7% probability to win.

Mount San Antonio next hosts Orange Coast on Monday. Irvine Valley is off until it hosts Los Angeles Valley on Dec. 30.