Down by as many as 16 points (43-27) early in the second half, the Cerritos College men's basketball team was able to extend the game against visiting Allan Hancock College on Wednesday and pulled out a 76-75 overtime win. It was the third win for the Falcons (5-0) by five points or less on the season. The team will travel to Pasadena City College for a 5:00 p.m. match next Monday.

After scratching their way back into the game, the state's #5-ranked Falcons were able to send the game to overtime when sophomore Jalen Shores (Lakewood HS) drained a three-pointer from outside the top of the key at the buzzer. On the team's previous possession, Shores missed a three-pointer from longer range. After a Cerritos foul, the Bulldogs (3-5) Caleb Whalen missed the front end of a one-and-one with :16 seconds remaining. That gave Cerritos one last chance, after both teams called timeout with 1.4 seconds remaining. Shores received the inbound pass and did not miss on the last-second attempt.

Heading into overtime, both teams turned the ball over on their first possession until sophomore Jonathan Salazar (St. John Bosco HS/New Mexico Military Institute CC) hit a short jump for a 68-66 Cerritos lead. It was the first time the Falcons held the lead since a 10-9 score a little over five minutes into the game. Quincey Brooks made sure that lead didn't last long, as he hit a three-pointer for Allan Hancock. Sophomore Gorden Boykins (St. Anthony HS) followed with a layup for Cerritos and when the Bulldogs missed their next shot, freshman Gary Williams (Dominguez HS) knocked down a three-pointer for a 73-69 Cerritos lead. 

The Falcons could have extended their lead two more times, but missed their first four free throws in overtime. Bently would eventually tied the game at 75-75 with his sixth three-pointer of the game with :43 secons remaining in overtime. Cerritos looked to be in trouble when Boykins was called for stepping out of bounds with :30 seconds remaining. Allan Hancock drained the clock down to :03 seconds when Darryl Brooks took a three-pointer for the Bulldogs. He missed the shot and Williams was fouled. After missing the first free throw, he converted the second for a 76-75 lead.

In a potential shocking turn of events, Bentley missed a final shot for the Bulldogs, but Onias Outlaw went up and tried to tip-in the rebound at the buzzer, but it rolled around the rim and out.

Freshman Everett May (Los Alamitos HS) led the Falcons with 16 points, which included four thre-pointers, while Shores added 15 points and four assists. Salazar contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, with Williams providing nine points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Boykins posted six points, six rebounds and six assists in the win.

Photos by Daryl Peterson