Hampered by injuries to a variety of players throughout the season, the Cerritos College men's basketball team has had to turn to different players each game to step up for the Falcons to be successful. In their 74-66 South Coast Conference crossover game on Friday the Falcons (7-7) received double-digit scoring from three players, while eight of the nine players that saw action got on the scoreboard.

Freshman Jordun Willard (West Torrance HS) nailed a season-high four three-pointers on his way to a season-high 14 points and eight rebounds.

The Falcons were playing without sophomore Everett May (Los Alamitos HS) and freshman Darron Henry (Long Beach Poly HS), who have combined to average 19 points a game.

With the lead changing hands back and forth in the first half, the Falcons started to open up their biggest lead of the game midway through the second half. Down, 47-46, Willard hit a baseline three-pointer to get Cerritos going toward their double-digit lead. 

The Lancers (7-7), who connected on 54% of their field goals in the first half, went cold and missed six straight shots after Cerritos took the lead on the Willard trey. Freshmen Dillon Botts (Mayfair HS) and Gavin Carothers (Cerritos HS) each netted a pair of free throws to extend the lead, followed by a put-back lay-up from sophomore Cameron McCoy (Taft HS). Willard capped off the 12-0 run with another three-pointer for a 58-47 lead with 5:48 remaining.

It was Willard once again who made it a 13-point lead (63-50) with his fourth three-pointer. Although Pasadena City was able to close to within 66-62 in the final minute, sophomore Eric Clark (Cerritos HS) and Botts each netted a pair from the charity stripe to close out the win.

Sophomore Taeo Thomas (Verbum Dei HS) led the team with 16 points and added eight rebounds, while Clark produced 10 points, five rebounds and three steals. The duo of Botts and sophomore Miles Ceballos (Crossroads HS/Ventura College) each added nine points, with Botts also dishing out six assists.

The Falcons will host East Los Angeles College at 5:00 p.m. next Wednesday in another conference crossover game.

Photos by Daryl Peterson