MERCED, Calif. (Interstat) — The Los Angeles Southwest College men’s basketball team defeated Merced 107-84 in a California Community College contest Saturday. The Cougars, who also beat the Blue Devils on Friday, improved to 8-4 overall. Merced dropped to 1-7. Caron Smith led Los Angeles Southwest with 28 points, while Hosea Steele, Jr. added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Carter Reid scored a game-high 29 points for Merced in the losing effort.