After playing an overtime game against Los Angeles Trade-Tech College last Friday, the Cerritos College men’s basketball team headed north to compete in the San Jose City Tournament the following weekend. In their first two games, the Falcons were extended into overtime, which marked the first time in school history the team had played in three straight overtime games. After opening with a 73-71 loss to Cosumnes River College, the team came away with a 92-82 victory over Lassen College. However, in their final game of the tournament, the Falcons (8-9) didn’t get a chance to play an extra period, as they were soundly defeated by Los Angeles Southwest College, 76-54.

    Cerritos now resumes South Coast Conference crossover action and will host Los Angeles City College at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.

    In the loss to Cosumnes River, the Falcons saw sophomore guard Aaron Thompson (Washington Prep HS) record another double-double, as he led the team with 19 points and 13 rebounds, with sophomore forward Travele Jones (Inglewood HS) contributing 18 points and five boards. Although Cerritos out-rebounded the Hawks, 42-27, they struggled from the field, making only 36% of their field goals, while they committed 15 turnovers. Freshman guard Jeremiah Barnes (Los Altos HS) came off the bench to added seven points and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Aaron King (Mayfair HS) also had seven points.

    In one of the more outstanding shooting performances in years, Thompson pumped in a career-high 38 points on 17-of-22 shooting in the team’s win over Lassen. Thompson, who was held out of the starting lineup, also hauled in 13 rebounds, while he also added five assists and three steals. The point total tied for the sixth highest in school history. Not to be outdone, Jones drained 11-of-15 shots and added 25 points, as the Falcons fought back from a double-digit deficit in the second half. King added 12 points, while freshman guard Wayne Chapman (Bellflower HS) dished off a season-high eight assists and added six points and six rebounds off the bench.

    Against the Cougars, Cerritos found themselves on top early in the game, but then struggled hanging on to the ball and fell behind by 15 at halftime (44-29). The problems continued in the second half, and the Falcons were handed their worst loss of the season. Thompson led the team with 14 points, while sophomore guard Jerell Elder (Gahr HS) finished with 12 points, with Chapman contributing eight points.