M. Basketball: Falcons hold on for win over LA Harbor

File Photo: Dorian Harris pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds to go with his 28 points
File Photo: Dorian Harris pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds to go with his 28 points

Needing wins in the second round of the South Coast Conference South Division schedule, the Cerritos College men's basketball team held on for a 70-67 win over Los Angeles Harbor College on Wednesday. The Falcons (13-8, 4-2), who are a half game out of first place in the division, will host crosstown rival Long Beach City College at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The Vikings are currently in a first place tie with Los Angeles Southwest College, who the Falcons split with in their two games. Cerritos recorded an 80-69 win in their first meeting with Long Beach City.

It was a back and forth game with the Seahawks (12-8, 2-4), with the Falcons overcoming a few late turnovers. Another aspect of the game that has proved to be an obstacle for Cerritos lately  has been free throws. But against LA Harbor, the Falcons converted 21-of-25, with freshman Malik Johnson (Compton HS) netting 10-of-12 attempts on his way to a 15-point game.

Sophomore Dorian Harris (Cerritos HS) was hot from the outside in the first half, as he scored 21 of his game-high 28 points in that half and also led the team with 11 rebounds. Harris made good on 6-of-10 shots from three-point range, with sophomore Cerroy Chenault (Warren HS) hitting the other two and concluded the game with eight points.

The Falcons were forced to play with a smaller lineup after centers Jackson Barnhill (Long Beach Wilson HS) and Andre Fields (Warren HS) both fouled out. That's where the play of Chenault and freshman Jalen Shores (Lakewood HS) came into play, as Shores posted 13 points and added three rebounds. Freshmen Gorden Boykins (St. Anthony HS) and Garrett Bell (Sonora HS) each finished with four rebounds in the win.