(Torrance, CA) The Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo team faced rival Cerritos College on Thursday (Nov. 3) in the South Coast Conference Championship tournament and was edged by the Falcons, 12-11, in a game played at El Camino College.

The loss drops the Mounties (14-14) into the third-place game of the tourney on Saturday (Nov. 5) against host El Camino.

Cerritos will play Long Beach City College for the SCC title, also on Saturday.

Freshman utility Zack Ewing led the Mounties with four goals and two steals, while Jasper Wang and Charlie Peralta had two goals each.

The Falcons, who lost to Mt. SAC in the regular season in the conference, took a 5-3 first period lead.

The Mounties, behind a pair of goals by Ewing in the second period, evened the game at 7-7, at the half.

Ewing scored twice more in the third period, as the Mounties were tied again after three periods, 9-9.

Cerritos built up a two-goal, 11-9 lead with 3:20 left in regulation.

Peralta, on an assist from Ewing, brought the Mounties within a goal, 11-10, with 2:54 remaining.

A minute later, Peralta again scored, and the game was tied, 11-11.

Cerritos' Kobe Hurtado provided the go-ahead goal and eventual game-winner with 1:26 left.

Ewing and Aidan Murphy each had a shot in the last minute but couldn't convert.

Follow Mt. SAC Men's Water Polo on Twitter @mtsacaquatics

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.