RIDGECREST, Calif. (Interstat) — The Copper Mountain Fighting Cacti built a large early lead and withstood a second-half push to defeat the Cerro Coso Coyotes 60-51 in a California Community College men’s basketball game Saturday.

Copper Mountain raced to a 31-point first quarter and led 60-51 at halftime. The Fighting Cacti defense then stiffened after the break, holding Cerro Coso scoreless in the second half to secure the road victory. Lance Bailey Jr. led all scorers with 24 points for the Coyotes. Amarion Wallace posted 10 points and seven rebounds for Copper Mountain, which improved to 10-5. Cerro Coso fell to 4-9.