Men’s Basketball Stays Unbeaten in Conference

TORRANCE, Calif. --- El Camino College stayed perfect early in South Coast Conference play with a 72-66 win over Long Beach on Friday at the ECC Gym Complex.

Justin Cricri led the team with 17 points and added five rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench while Landon Starnes and Linken Tate each scored 13. Starnes also dished out a team-high six assists as the Warriors combined for 19 assists on 29 made baskets.

For the Vikings, Lawrence Brown led all scorers with 27 points on 11-for-19 shooting with Branden Ellis adding 13 points in 22 minutes off the bench.

The teams played a tight contest throughout as no team ever led by more than seven points. The teams were tied seven times and exchanged the lead on 12 occasions.

The Warriors took the biggest lead of the game by either team with 5:56 left in regulation but the Vikings ran off seven straight points to tie the game up.

But Kai Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 3:27 left to put the Warriors back on top at 62-59 and the team would never relinquish the lead again.

The Warriors currently sit atop the SCC South Standings with a 2-0 record and will host L.A. Southwest on Wednesday evening at the ECC Gym Complex. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.