After opening up a nine-point first half lead, the Cerritos College men's basketball team was able to hold off visiting Los Angeles City College in a non-conference game on Friday, 75-66. The Falcons (9-6) will continue to play South Coast Conference crossover games next Wednesday when they travel to Pasadena City College for a 7:00 p.m. game.

Both teams started off cold, with the first points of the game scored after 2:12 had expired off the clock. The Falcons lead became nine points (24-15) after sophomore Marcel Hayes (Long Beach Poly HS) converted a three-point play and sophomore Darron Henry (Long Beach Poly HS) adding four straight points. After the Cubs closed to within four points, sophomore Spencer Ezewiro (Paramount HS/Moberly Area, MO CC) knocked down a pair of free throws and a jumper, with sophomore Andrew Mata (Schurr HS/Holy Cross, IN College) draining a three-pointer at the buzzer to make it a nine-point advantage at intermission.

The lead increased to as many as 12 points (48-36) after sophomore Dillon Botts (Mayfair HS) drained a three-pointer, while Mata connected on his second three-pointer of the game, followed by Ezewiro converting the team's second of five three-point plays on the night.

Just when LA City started to make their move and get to within 54-48 with 7:59 remaining, Hayes scored the next nine points for Cerritos, while a Henry three-pointer with 2:35 closed out the game, as the team lead, 68-56. He then followed ny knocking down a pair of free throws.

Hayes led the team with 18 points and six rebounds off the bench in 24 minutes, while Henry recorded 16 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Falcons. Ezewiro contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Botts added 13 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Photos by Daryl Peterson