W. Basketball: Cerritos wins second straight divisional game

File Photo: Sarah Hernandez was one of two players to score 15 points against LA Southwest
File Photo: Sarah Hernandez was one of two players to score 15 points against LA Southwest

Taking on a Los Angeles Southwest College team that had only five players, the Cerritos College women's basketball team was able to pull away in a 64-43 win. The Falcons (9-14, 2-3), winners of two in a row, will host Los Angeles Harbor College at 5:00 p.m. on Friday in another South Coast Conference South Division game.

The Cougars (12-11, 2-3) were able to stay close through the first half, but the Falcons slowly wore them down and began to put some distance between them.

Early in the third quarter it was a 32-26 Cerritos lead, but a three-point play from freshman Jordan Lewis (Downey HS), followed by a basket and free throw from freshman Precious Yerena (Downey HS) made it a 38-26 lead. After sophomore Sarah Hernandez (St. Paul HS) connected on a layup, the advantage swelled to 40-26, as LA Southwest was held without a point for almost five minutes.

A fourth quarter three-pointer from Heather Ortuno pulled the Cougars to within 52-39 with 4:58 left on the clock. But freshman Nicole Lizarraga (Cantwell Sacred Heart HS) came right down and hit a jumper, with the teams trading baskets the remainder of the game.

Hernandez and sophomore Mariah Lora (Warren HS) each scored 15 points and connected on a trio of three-pointers. One assist shy of a triple-double, Hernandez also hauled in 14 rebounds, dished out nine assists and recorded six steals. Yerena added 12 points, seven rebounds and four steals, with Lewis finishing with 11 points and five rebounds.