By Wes McCurtis

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College men's basketball team (10-8, 2-1 OEC) defeated the Irvine Valley College Lasers (10-9, 1-3 OEC) in their Orange Empire Conference home opener on Friday night, 61-55.

O'Shae Williams led the way with 21 points to go along with 5 boards and 2 assists. Williams finished 4-of-7 from the floor and 12-of-18 at the foul line to notch his fifth game of 20 points of more this season. Chez Lister added an efficient 15 points (7-of-11) and 6 rebounds off the bench. Jordan Rohan finished with 11 points and 3 assists.

Brennon Palmer's impact did not show up in the box score as he dominated the game defensively. Palmer held Lance Coleman, the conference's leading scorer, to a season-low 6 points on 3-of-14 shooting.

Daniel Hernandez led the Lasers with a game-high 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

It was a tightly contested game but the Chargers managed to maintain control for most of the way, trailing for less than two minutes of game action. During the final three minute stretch, Cypress held a 55-49 lead. Hernandez knocked down a three-pointer to bring the Lasers within three. Williams responded with a contested 15-footer after an Irvine timeout to put the game away with under a minute to go as the Chargers went on to win, 61-55.

Men's basketball will return to action next week when they travel to take on No. 2 Saddleback College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18. The Chargers will return home on Friday, Jan. 20 where they'll take on No. 11 Riverside at 7 p.m.

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