Taking part in their first tournament of the season, the Cerritos College men's basketball team split their two games at the Irvine Valley Tournament this week. The Falcons opened with a 64-55 loss at the hands of Ventura College before coming back the following day to upend College of the Canyons, 67-58. Cerritos will get the next week off before traveling to Porterville College for a 5:00 p.m. game on November 16.

Cerritos vs. Ventura: Taking on the Pirates, the team found themselves behind 17-8 before sophomore Jordun Willard (Paramount HS) converted a three-point play, followed by a Brian DeMedio (Warren HS) layup to draw to within 17-13. Consecutive three-pointers from Andrew Mata (Schurr HS/Holy Cross (IN) College) and Darron Henry (Long Beach Poly HS) pulled the Falcons ahead, 24-23 with 5:47 left in the first half. They took a 34-32 lead into intermission, but it took them nearly nine minutes to score in the second half, which allowed the Pirates to open a 44-34 lead. The team could only get as close as six points the rest of the way.

Henry and Dillon Botts (Mayfair HS) each scored 12 points to lead Cerritos, while they combined for seven rebounds, with Henry adding five assists and three steals. Sophomore Spencer Ezewiro (Paramount HS/Moberly Area (MO) CC) accounted for 10 points and nine rebounds, with sophomore Blake Brewer (Orange Lutheran HS) adding seven points.

 

Cerritos vs. College of the Canyons: After spotting the Cougars the first five points of the game, the Falcons worked their way into the game and took a 12-11 lead after Mata knocked down the first of three consecutive three-pointers to put the team in front, 18-11. The team maintained their momentum and took a 34-27 lead into halftime. Unlike their game against Irvine Valley the night before, Cerritos came right out and scored on their first possession of the second half, as DeMedio drained a three-pointer. On Mata's fourth three-pointer of the game, Cerritos held their largest lead at 41-29 with 17:46 left on the clock. They were able to hold off any thoughts of the Cougars getting back in the game and went ahead, 63-50 when Henry connected on a three-pointer with 2:50 remaining.

By the end of the game, the Falcons received a game-high 19 points from Ezewiro, who also hauled down 16 of the team's 38 rebounds and posted three steals. Also finishing in double-figures was Mata, who scored all 12 of his points from three-point range, with Henry adding 11 points off the bench. Williard had a stellar all-around game, as he contributed nine points, nine rebounds and five assists in the win.