If the Cerritos College men's basketball team is going to look at why they dropped a 70-68 decision to Compton College on Wednesday night, they need look no further than their free throw shooting. The Falcons (11-7, 3-1), who saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, also dropped out of first place in the South Coast Conference South Division. They have a chance to jump back into the lead spot on Friday at 5:00 p.m., as they face Los Angeles Southwest College (15-5, 4-1), who currently sits in first place.

Cerritos was a porous 28-of-43 from the free throw line, which included going 18-of-27 in the second half. The Falcons led most of the game, but saw their 46-37 lead with 16:21 slip away when Arvin Shirali hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 50-50 with 12:21 remaining.

Sophomore Andre Fields (Warren HS) converted a pair of free throws on the team's next possession, but Shirali netted his second of three consecutive three-pointers to give the Tartars a 53-52 advantage. A pair of missed free throws on the Falcons next possession led to Shirali giving Compton a 56-52 advantage with 10:44 left.

Down by seven (65-58), the Falcons started to make a comeback. Sophomore Jaishon Forte (Rancho Verde HS) hit a three-pointer and then Fields converted three of four free throws on the team's next two possessions to keep Cerritos close (67-64) with just 1:15 remaining. The Falcons regained possession of the ball and when freshman Garrett Bell (Sonora HS) was fouled attempting a three-pointer, and with a chance to tie the game, he was only able to convert one of the three. Compton (8-10, 3-2) helped Cerritos by missing both of their free throw attempts, but a missed shot forced them to foul and A Al Najim Ashley netted a pair of free throws for the Tartars with :22 second left to make it a 69-65 game.

Cerritos had one last chance to tie the game after Compton missed another pair of free throws after sophomore Dorian Harris (Cerritos HS) drew the team to within two points (69-67). Forte was able to drive the ball under the basket, but was fouled. He only made one of the two free throws, and Compton was able to pull down the miss and end the game.

Playing without sophomore Juice Belvin (St. Anthony HS), who was out with an injury, freshman Jalen Shores (Lakewood HS) led the team with 17 points, and was the only successful player from the charity stripe. He converted 10-of-11, but was forced to leave the game with an injury. Bell added 12 points, which included a trio of first-half three-pointers, with Fields finishing with nine points. Harris and sophomore Cerroy Chenault (Warren HS) combined for 14 points and 12 rebounds, with Forte leading the team with seven caroms.

Photos by Daryl Peterson