Using a series of three-pointers, the Cerritos College men's basketball team turned an 11-point second half deficit into a late lead against visiting Mt. San Antonio College on Friday night. However, after taking a 60-57 lead with 4:49 left in the game, the Falcons lead would eventually slip away with 3:17, as they dropped a 70-67 decision to the Mounties. Cerritos (9-7) will host Rio Hondo College in another South Coast Conference crossover game at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Sophomore center Spencer Ezewiro (Paramount HS/Moberly Area, MO CC) gave the Falcons their first lead since a 14-13 advantage midway through the first half, as he knocked down a short jumper with 5:30 remaining for a 58-57 lead. Although he failed to convert the three-point play, Cerritos added to their lead on a bucket by sophomore Andrew Mata (Schurr HS/Holy Cross, IN College) with 4:49 left. Sophomore Marcel Hayes (Long Beach Poly HS), who scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half, restored the lead at 62-60 with 4:10 left on the clock.

Mt. San Antonio, ranked #2 in the state, scored the next four points to retake the lead after Cerritos missed three straight shots and Ezewiro missed the front end of a one-and-one. He followed that by netting one of two from the charity stripe to make it a 64-63 game. The Falcons stayed within a basket of taking the lead, received four consecutive free throws from sophomore Darron Henry (Long Beach Poly HS). However, Mt. SAC made their final two free throws, while Hayes was forced to shot off-balance from the baseline in the final seconds, as he looked to tie the game and send it to overtime.

On the night, Cerritos knocked down eight three-pointers, but could not make up enough points when needed, as the Mounties were 25-for-35 from the free throw line. By contrast, the Falcons were just 5-of-10 from the charity stripe.

Hayes led the team with 18 points and added seven rebounds, while Ezewiro finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Falcons. Sophomore Dillon Botts (Mayfair HS) accounted for 12 points and five assists, with Henry accounting for 11 points and five assists.

Photos by Daryl Peterson