In the 121st installment of their rivalry, the Cerritos College men's basketball team posted a 77-69 South Coast Conference South Division win on Wednesday over Long Beach City College. The Falcons (17-8, 6-1), who are in first place in the division with three games remaining, now lead the overall series, 61-60. The team will host El Camino College at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

With Cerritos maintaining a six-point lead early in the second half, the teams traded baskets for the majority of the remainder of the game. Leading 53-46 with 13:16 on the clock, the Falcons got a bucket from freshman Joshua Belvin (St. Anthony HS), while a Vikings turnover resulted in a Jalen Washington (Bishop Montgomery HS) transition basket for a 57-46 lead. Long Beach City went on a 7-0 run to get to within 57-53 before freshman Joshua Harrison (Onate, NM HS) converted a pair of free throws, while on their next possession, sophomore Jacob Washington (Washington Prep HS/Los Angeles Harbor College) netted his two attempts from the charity stripe.

A 63-58 advantage with 4:41 became a 72-60 lead thanks to three-pointers from both freshman Cerroy Chenault (Warren HS) and Harrison, while Jacob Washington converted a three-point play. In the final 2:51, Cerritos made good on five of their final six free throws to secure the win.

Jacob Washington led the team in points (16) and rebounds (eight), while Chenault drained four three-pointers on his way to 15 points and added five assists. Harrison posted 15 points, five rebounds and three steals off the bench, with the Falcons out-scoring the Vikings, 28-10 off the bench. Belvin (11 points) and Jalen Washington (10 points, five rebounds, five assists) also scored in double-figures in a balanced effort.

Photos by Daryl Peterson