Coming out strong against visiting El Camino College on Friday night, the Cerritos College women's basketball team eventually ran out of gas in a 72-61 South Coast Conference South Division game. Leading 23-17 after the first quarter, the teams were tied, 39-39 at intermission. But it was the fourth quarter where the Falcons (12-10, 1-1) couldn't get their shots to drop, as they saw the Warriors (16-5, 2-0) outscore them, 15-6. Cerritos will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. when they host Compton College in another divisional game.

It was a 57-55 El Camino lead heading into the fourth quarter until Brenna Wilson opened with a three-pointer for a five-point Warrior lead. After sophomore Serena Rendon (Carson HS) hit a short jumper with 9:32 left, it took the Falcons over three minutes to score again. By then, it was a 65-59 game, which was followed by Ashley Nguyen scoring five straight points to help build the lead to 72-59 with just 3:07 left.

In the fourth quarter, the Falcons were only 3-for-17 from the field and committed three turnovers. Prior to the fourth quarter, Cerritos was a solid 20-for-44 on their field goals, and used aggressive defense to help them stay ahead of the Warriors. But the El Camino trio of Brenna Wilson, Salihah Bey (15 rebounds) and Makenna Peneueta combined for 48 points and nine three-pointers.

Cerritos received a great all-around game from freshman Jade Johnson (City of Angels HS), who was 5-of-11 from the field and finished with 13 points, along with five rebounds and four blocked shots. Rendon and twin sister Jesenia Rendon (Carson HS) combined for 31 points and 11 rebounds, with sophomore Jessica Gomez (Legacy HS) and freshman Renisha Billups (Warren HS) each adding seven points.

Photos by Daryl Peterson