Looking to post one of their biggest wins of the season, the Cerritos College men's basketball team came up short in a 93-87 overtime loss to host East Los Angeles College on Wednesday night. The Falcons (12-9) were poised to get the big win over the #6-ranked Huskies (17-2), but allowed a three-point play with 7.4 seconds left in the second half to send the game into overtime. In the extra five minutes, ELAC converted 14-of-15 free throws to secure the victory.

Cerritos took a 67-64 second half lead with 5:11 remaining after a three-pointer from freshman Tyler Payne (Mayfair HS). It was the second largest lead of the game for the Falcons, who were up 48-44 when sophomore Khalid Washington (Los Alamitos HS/Central Wyoming College) drained a three-pointer with 13:08 left.

They maintained that lead until the final minute of the second half. East LA had already converted four three-point plays in the second half and earned their fifth when sophomore Kyle Geer (Bassick, CT HS/Cuesta College) fouled Iziahiah Sweeny (14 points) with 7.4 seconds left in the second half. The continuation free throw tied the game at 75-75. Cerritos had one last chance to win the game, but an outside jumper by Jonathan Brown (Fairfax HS) with five seconds left was off line and the the game went into overtime.

In the extra five minutes, the Huskies finished off another three-point play for an 83-77 lead with 1:46 left in overtime. Cerritos played most of the game in foul trouble and lost three players to fouls, while five others played with four fouls. On the night, ELAC netted 37-of-51 from the free throw line, while the Falcons were just 18-of-34.

The loss spoiled a 25-point night for freshman Luis Medearis (View Park HS), who kept the team in the game all night with his outside shooting. He went 5-for-7 from three-point range, including a pair of overtime and also added three rebounds and three assists. Geer added 15 points and three rebounds before fouling out, with Payne and sophomore Jamal Watson (Lakewood HS) each posting 11 points.

On Friday, Cerritos will open divisional play when they host Los Angeles Harbor College at 7:00 p.m.