Cricri and Johnson Lead Warriors to Win over Desert

TORRANCE, Calif. --- Justin Cricri and Kai Johnson led the offense as El Camino College secured a 67-57 non-conference win over College of the Desert on Friday evening at the ECC Gym Complex.

Cricri recorded his first career double-double as he scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while recording a career-high four blocks. Johnson also poured in 20 points in 35 minutes of action as he went 6-for-11 from the field and hit four of the Warriors' seven 3-pointers on the night.

Rocco Gaffoglio added 12 points with three 3-pointers and Darrin Poland Jr. added seven rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.

For the Roadrunners, De'Miem King led the way with 15 points while Payton Joseph and Lee'Tron Turner scored 13 points apiece.

The Warriors have won four of their first five games this season, their best start to the season since the 2022-23 season when they won their first four games and also started 4-1.

On Friday, the Warriors came alive in the second half for the second straight game to overcome a slow first half in which they scored just 24 points. They would outscore the Roadrunners 43-28 in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.

They shot 15-for-29 from the field in the second half including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc while holding the Roadrunners to just 31.3 percent shooting and 1-of-9 from distance. Cricri was unstoppable in the second half as he scored 15 of his 20 in the period missing just one shot in eight attempts.

Johnson also scored 12 of his 20 in the second half to help spur the late charge.

In the last two wins, the Warriors have outscored their opponents 95-65 and hold a 171-129 edge in the second half in all four victories this season.

The Warriors will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 19 as they host Grossmont for a 5 p.m. tipoff.