In their season-opening game, the Cerritos College men's basketball team suffered an 82-64 loss to host Santiago Canyon College on Friday night. It was only the second meeting ever between these two teams with the Falcons (0-1) posting a 95-75 Southern California Regional Playoff win two seasons ago. Next up for the team will be the Irvine Valley Tournament, with Cerritos opening against Ventura College at 5:00 p.m. next Thursday.

The Hawks opened the game by scoring the first six points and didn't lose that lead throughout the game. Cerritos was victimized by the successful three-point shooting of Santiago Canyon in the first half and opened a 25-12 lead thanks the a pair of long-distance baskets. They would be the only of the first half for the Hawks, but it gave them a 13-point cushion and left the Falcons fighting to get back into the game.

A 10-point halftime deficit (37-27) turned into a 28-point (61-33) uphill battle, as the Hawks opened the second half connecting on 9-of-10 shots, which included five three-pointers. 

Sophomore Jacob Washington (Washington Prep HS/Los Angeles Harbor College)  led the team with 18 points, along with a team-high six rebounds, with freshman Joshua Belvin (St. Anthony HS) accounting for 11 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench. Freshman Cerroy Chenault (Warren HS) added 10 points, with freshman Jahlen Jack (Centennial, GA HS) posting seven points.