The Cerritos College men's basketball team extended their winning streak to four in a row after a 67-59 South Coast Conference South Division triumph over visiting Los Angeles Harbor College on Friday night. The Falcons (13-7, 2-0) will travel to El Camino College next Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. divisional game.

The team opened an early 14-7 first half lead after sophomore Andrew Mata (Schurr HS/Holy Cross, IN College) knocked down a three-pointer and then extended the lead to 18-7 after a jumper from freshman Brian DeMedio (Warren HS) and a pair of free throws from sophomore Spencer Ezewiro (Paramount HS/Moberly Area, MO CC). The big center then made his presence known, as he accounted for the next eight points for the Falcons on four powerful dunks. 

But each time the Falcons look to put some distance between them and LA Harbor, they saw their opponents string together a few baskets to get back into the game. After seeing the Seahawks get to within 30-26, Cerritos got consecutive three-pointers from sophomores Marcel Hayes (Long Beach Poly HS) and Darron Henry (Long Beach Poly HS). Sophomore Blake Brewer (Orange Lutheran HS) then completed a three-point play for a 40-28 lead with 14:51 left in the second half, which was followed by two more Brewer free throws.

In their final attempt to take the lead for the first time, as they drew to within 52-50 with 4:51 left, Cerritos had one last burst, as both Henry and Ezewiro both converted a pair of free throws, followed by a Hayes three-pointer off an LA Harbor turnover for a 59-50 advantage. The Falcons then closed out the game to secure the victory.

Hayes scored 20 points off the bench to lead Cerritos, while Ezewiro finished with 15 points and 15 boards in the win. Brewer produced 11 points and six rebounds, with the trio of sophomore Dillon Botts (Mayfair HS), Henry (four assists, three rebounds) and DeMedio all had five points, Botts also pulled down seven rebounds and dished off three assists.

Photos by Daryl Peterson