M. Basketball: Victory keeps Cerritos in tie for first place in the division

File Photo: Spencer Ezewiro and the Falcons posted a 30-point win over LA Harbor
File Photo: Spencer Ezewiro and the Falcons posted a 30-point win over LA Harbor

With three regular season games remaining, the Cerritos College men's basketball team sits in a tie for first place in the South Coast Conference South Division. The Falcons (17-8, 6-1) posted an 80-50 win over host Los Angeles Harbor College on Wednesday and will now host El Camino College at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

In the win, Cerritos opened up a 7-0 lead and never looked back, as freshman Blake Brewer (Orange Lutheran HS) got things going with five of those points. The lead became 21-13 after sophomore Andrew Mata (Schurr HS/Holy Cross, IN College) knocked down a three-pointer with 9:09 left in the first half. Brewer converted a pair of free throws with 1:50 left in the half to open a 31-19 advantage and before the end of the half, Mata had another long distance jumper and a layup to help take a 36-24 lead into halftime.

Freshman Jaysen Owens (Narbonne HS) came out in the second half and scored four quick points and after sophomore Dillon Botts (Mayfair HS) completed a fast break layup, the Falcons led, 44-28. The lead continued to swell, thanks in part to Brewer continuing with a hot hand and drained another three-pointer for a 49-31 lead with 13:16 left. The tandem of freshman Lucas Smith (Blaine, WA HS) and Brian DeMedio (Warren HS) came off the bench and hit consecutive three-pointers, as the Falcons led, 57-33 midway through the second half.

The big win allowed everyone in uniform to see action, with Brewer leading the way with 16 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Darron Henry (Long Beach Poly HS) added 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the win. Sophomore Spencer Ezewiro (Paramount HS/Moberly Area, MO CC) recorded nine points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Mata produced eight points off the bench. Botts finished with seven points, four rebounds and four assists, while Owens concluded the game with six points and four rebounds.

As a team, Cerritos had six different players knock down a three-pointer in the win.