Falcons eliminated from the playoffs with loss to West LA College.

Nizar Milbes • March 6, 2019

Over 400 fans gathered to cheer on the Falcons in their second round playoff matchup against the West Los Angeles College Wildcats.

The atmosphere was ecstatic, as the Aviary hadn’t seen that many people in attendance throughout the season.

The excitement did not last long as the Falcons failed to hold onto on to a late lead and lost 66-61 to end their season.

The fifth seeded Falcons hadn’t faced the twelfth seeded wildcats since the 1980s. However, they seemed more like bitter rivals as players from both teams exchanged verbal taunts through out the game. The game also featured technical and hard fouls.

The Falcons seem to be pulling away with possession of the ball and a 59-57 lead with one minute left in the game. The Wildcats closed out the game with a 9-1 run.

With the Falcons down 60-59 with 34 seconds left in the game, Head Coach Russ May called a time out.

The Falcons seemed to draw a perfect play that saw freshman guard no. 5 Tawon Elston attempt a wide open three-pointer shot only to have the ball go in and out.

The Wildcats were able to get the defensive rebound and draw a foul. The Wildcats sank in the two free throws and they never look back.

The game seemed to perhaps be the most exciting game of the season. There were 13 lead changes and no team lead by more than six points throughout the game.

The Falcons failed to rebound the ball as well as they have been all season. They were outrebounded by the smaller team on the offensive glass.

The Wildcats had twice as much points off of offensive rebounds which pretty much was the difference maker.

Early in the game, both teams looked to play up-tempo style however they settled with taking many three-point baskets. Both teams combined to take 40 three-point attempts.

The Falcons shot poorly from the three-point line, with a 22% shooting night while the Wildcats shot 41% from 3.

The season ended on a very disappointing note as the Falcons expected to return to the CCCAA state championship game.

“Our guys are devastated,” May said after the game, “They’re going to look back and know that they must prepare better and I take full blame for that,” he continued.

May believed that his team didn’t make the plays down the stretch. He expects the team to have a bright future and that most of the players to return next season along with some possible new additions.

The Falcons team leading scorer freshman guard no. 13 Chance Hunter expects to be back on the team next season.

After the game, Hunter said, “There’s a lot of emotions right now in our locker room.”

“When it comes to playoff basketball it’s the small things that we need to do to make it happens and we didn’t make it happen,” he continued.

Hunter also said his teammates seen a lot of experience this year and they hope to carry that into next season.

Click below for live tweets from the game: