With a share of first place in the South Coast Conference South Division on the line, the Cerritos College men's basketball team was upended by Los Angeles Harbor College, 76-71 on Friday night. The loss also snaps a four-game winning streak, as the Falcons are now 18-8 on the year and 6-2 in the division with two games remaining. They travel to Long Beach City College on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. game.

Trailing for the majority of the game, Cerritos had several chances to take their first lead since a 28-25 advantage with 5:06 left in the first half. Down by as many as 13 points in the second half (55-42), the Falcons went on a 7-0 run to pu to within 69-68 with 4:06 remaining after a Gorden Boykins (St. Anthony HS) steal and layup from Taeo Thomas (Verbum Dei HS). With 2:05 left in the game, freshman Gary Williams (Dominguez HS) had a chance to put the team in front, but he converted just one of two free throws to draw even at 71-71.

The points would turn out to be the last for Cerritos, who went 0-for-5 from the field the remainder of the game. Down 72-71, Williams missed a three-pointer from the top of the key, and when the Falcons were forced to foul after their missed shots, the Seahawks Demetrius Douglas was there to convert four straight free throws in the final minute. Douglas, who had 22 points in the first half, finished with 35 on the night.

Williams led the Falcons with 13 points and 10 rebounds, with sophomore Jalen Shores (Lakewood HS) finishing with 12 points. Stephens posted 10 points and pulled down four rebounds, with Boykins checking in with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists. The bench provided nine points and four rebounds from freshman Cameron McCoy (Taft HS), with the tandem of Thomas and sophomore Dennis Johnson (Compton HS) each scoring eight points.

Photos by Daryl Peterson