The Cerritos College men’s basketball team got a convincing win in Friday night’s rivalry game versus the Long Beach City College Vikings, 76-60.

Coach Teplitzky and the Falcons entered the game with a strict game plan of attacking offensively and making sure a body was on everyone’s man defensively.

While on their six-game winning streak, the Falcons have really shown their discipline and toughness on the defensive side of the ball, and that was they key once again at Long Beach City.

They began the game, startling the Vikings with a half-court trapping defense which led to Viking turnovers and easy baskets for the Falcons.

Viking forward Lane Whitney stressed how big of a rivalry game it is for both teams and said, the Vikings’ plan was to play tougher defense than they did in the previous game against Cerritos.

That plan did not work out in the Vikings’ favor, thanks to 20 first-half turnovers and weak perimeter defense.

The Falcons held a commanding 19-point lead going into halftime.

Sophomore Gregory Preer led the team in scoring with 16 points to go with six rebounds and four steals.

Marcellus Jackson also contributed significantly with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks.

The second half was no different for both teams as the Falcons’ lead just continued to increase, feeding off of Viking turnovers, spoiling LBCC’s last home game of the season.

The game really took its toll mentally for the Vikings when Gregory Preer made two “heartbreaking” three point shots in a row, said Vikings forward Marlon Ramos.

Long Beach usually lives and dies by its three-point shooting but missed its first 12 attempts in the game.

Just like its women counterparts, the men’s team win was a total team contribution, getting its seventh victory in a row.

The team clinched a share of the conference title and can be conference champs with a win, hosting ECC Compton Wednesday night.