RIDGECREST, Calif. (Interstat) — Victor Valley edged Cerro Coso 67-66 in a men’s junior college basketball game Wednesday night. The visiting Rams improved to 3-11 overall, while the Coyotes fell to 4-7.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams scoring 38 points in the second half after Victor Valley took a narrow 29-28 first-quarter lead. Cerro Coso shot 40.7% from the floor but struggled at the free-throw line, making 14 of 23 attempts. Lance Bailey Jr. led the Coyotes with 17 points. The Rams’ victory defied a national statistical projection that heavily favored Cerro Coso to win.