The Cerritos College women’s basketball team bounced back from a first round loss at the Glendale Tournament over the weekend to win their next two games and capture the consolation championship. The Falcons (5-1) will now host Cypress College in their home opener at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. In the first round, Cerritos dropped a 60-51 decision to Fullerton College, and then came back on consecutive days to defeat Los Angeles Southwest College (75-46) and Antelope Valley College (65-54).

    In the win over LA Southwest, the Falcons got double-digit scoring from three players, with freshman forward Mercedes Taylor (Gahr HS) leading the way with 16 points, while freshman center Mele Motuliki (Long Beach Jordan HS) came off the bench to add 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Cerritos was in control of the game from start to finish and shot 56% (30-of-54) from the field. Additionally, sophomore forward Genesis Lewis (Paramount HS) contributed 12 points and eight boards, with freshman Shaneisha Wofford (Cabrillo HS) pulling down six rebounds.

    The offensive took full advantage of the 18 points from Lewis, while the defense benefitted from her seven steals against Antelope Valley. For her efforts over the weekend, Lewis was named to the all-tournament team. Also playing a good game on both ends of the court was sophomore guard Tiffany Wilson (Mayfair HS), who accounted for 16 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Taylor (eight points, nine rebounds) also played well, as did sophomore forward Maltresa Neely (Downey HS), who added seven points and five rebounds. As for sophomore guard Colleen Cooley (Paramount HS), she dished out five assists to go along with her four points and three rebounds.

    The Falcons opened the tournament with a loss to Fullerton, who they defeated in the opening round of the San Diego Mesa Tournament a week earlier. The setback overshadowed a 22-point, six-rebound, four-steal performance from Wilson, while Neely added 10 points and nine rebounds.