In their South Coast Conference South Division opener, the Cerritos College women's basketball team had 12 different players score and had at least one rebound in a 70-50 win. The victory over visiting Los Angeles College improved the Falcons overall record to 15-8, while they are 1-0 in divisional play. The team will travel to Los Angeles Southwest College on Wednesday for a 5:00 p.m. South Division game.

Unlike their previous game against East Los Angeles College, Cerritos was able to open the game with a solid scoring effort. They led 19-7 and finished the quarter with a 22-11 advantage. But before the end of the first half, the Seahawks (2-15, 0-2) recorded a couple of steals and transition baskets and before the Falcons knew it, their lead was only 28-24 with 4:43 on the clock.

A bucket by sophomore Janel Oliver (Bellflower HS) was followed by three free throws from sophomore Verenice Gomez (Whittier HS), who was fouled taking a three-pointer with 1:33 left in the second quarter. Gomez added a late bucket for a 36-27 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, sophomores Kennedi Cooper (Lakewood HS) and Ashley Flores (California HS) combined for 11 points, with the Falcons extending their lead to as many as 21 points. It was their rebounding and transitional game that helped them get a comfortable advantage in the latter part of the game.

Cooper finished with a team-high 13 points and seven rebounds, with Oliver posting 11 points, as both came off the bench. Also coming off the bench was sophomore Sydney Lopez (Whittier Christian HS), who pulled down a season-high 10 rebounds to go with her seven points. Turning in another solid rebounding effort off the bench was sophomore Chyann Richard (Serra HS/San Doego Christian College), who hauled in 10 rebounds, as the Falcons finished with 58 on the night.

The duo of Gomez and Flores each finished with eight points and combined for 13 rebounds, with Tajah Davis leading LA Harbor with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Photos by Daryl Peterson