With a chance to regain first place in the South Coast Conference South Division, the Cerritos College men's basketball team was defeated by Los Angeles Southwest College, 106-101 in double overtime on Friday. The Falcons (11-8, 3-2) will travel to Rio Hondo College in a crossover game on Monday at 7:00 p.m., which is a make-up game from an earlier postponement.

Trailing, 80-74 in regulation with less than a minute remaining, Cerritos received a pair of free throws from freshman Jalen Shores (Lakewood HS) and after the Cougars (16-5, 5-1) missed two free throws on their next possession, the Falcons drew to within two points with 22.1 seconds left. Once again, it was Shores who was fouled and he netted both from the charity stripe. After an LA Southwest timeout, Cerritos was able to steal the ball in the backcourt, with sophomore Cerroy Chenault (Warren HS) scoring on a lay-up with :20 seconds left. One last shot attempt by LA Southwest was off line and the game went to overtime.

Cerritos opened an 87-82 lead with 2:37 remaining after sophomore Andre Fields (Warren HS) hit a three-pointer from the top of the key. They increased the lead to 89-83 after Fields converted a lay-up. But, one of the biggest plays of the game came on the next Cougars possession. Antoine Bloxton (29 points) was fouled and converted a three-point play to make it an 89-86 Cerritos lead. A turnover on the Falcons next possession led to Bloxton making two more free throws with 1:07 left.

Another turnover allowed LA Southwest to take a 90-89 lead with :49 seconds left. Sophomore Jaishon Forte (Rancho Verde HS) responded with a three-pointer to give the Falcons a 92-90 lead and once again, it was Bloxton who tied the game. Cerritos held the ball for one final shot, but it missed and the team was playing their first double-overtime game since the 2013-14 season.

It was a six-point deficit (100-94) in the second overtime for the Falcons until Fields hit his third three-pointer and freshman Malik Johnson (Compton HS) hit a short jumper to draw to within 100-99 with :27 seconds left. But the Cougars were able to convert their final six free throws to secure the win.

Johnson led the team with 22 points and added five rebounds, while Shores recorded 17 points and seven assists before fouling out. Off the bench, Forte (16 points, seven rebounds) and Field (15 points, eight rebounds) were effective, as was freshman Garrett Bell (Sonora HS), who netted four three-points en route to 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Photos by Daryl Peterson