In their South Coast Conference opener at Hope International University in Fullerton on Wednesday night, the Cerritos College men's basketball team used their defense to create offense. Although the Falcons were out-rebounded by El Camino College, 54-34, the Falcons scored 20 fast break points, which helped them post a 72-49 win. The victory improved their record to 7-7 overall and 1-0 in the SCC South Division, while the Warriors dropped to 5-8, 0-1. The team will play another "home" game on Friday at 5:00 p.m. when they face Long Beach City College.

The rebounding advantage was due to 22 offensive rebounds by El Camino, which resulted in their 28.3% field goal percentage. By contrast, Cerritos shot 40% from the field, but forced 26 Warrior turnovers, while finishing the game with only eight. Additionally, the Falcons were 20-of-34 from the free throw line and had four players score in double figures.

It was an early 11-2 Cerritos lead that set the stage for the game, while a three-pointer from sophomore DeAnthony Roberts (Gahr HS/Cypress College), followed by a fast break basket from freshman Kevin Conrad (Buena Park HS) that helped swell the team's lead to 37-22 early in the second half. The Falcons never trailed in the game and led by 20 or more points the final 9:24 of the game.

Conrad led the team with 13 points, while sophomore Marquise Washington (Westchester HS/Cypress College) added 12 points, as did freshman Jordan Reise (Huntington Beach HS), who did his damage from off the bench. Sophomore Anthony Holliday (Norwalk HS) finished with 11 points and three assists, while sophomores David Hall (Lynwood HS/Yavapai, AZ HS) and Andrew Torres (Montebello HS/Humboldt State) led the team with five rebounds off the bench.

Photo by Daryl Peterson