NORWALK, Calif. (Interstat) — A key California community college men’s basketball rematch is set for Friday when the Cerritos Falcons host the Los Angeles Southwest Cougars, just over two weeks after the Cougars secured a narrow home victory in the teams’ first meeting.

The Falcons (18-4), boasting one of the state’s top records, will look to defend their home court and avenge a 71-66 loss at LASW on Jan. 21. The Cougars (15-7) enter riding a four-game winning streak, including that earlier win over Cerritos and a recent 82-72 road victory at Long Beach.

The matchup features two of the region’s standout forwards. Los Angeles Southwest is powered by Hosea Steele, Jr., who dominated Cerritos in the first game with 20 points and eight rebounds. Steele is coming off a 18-point, 14-rebound performance against Long Beach and has averaged a double-double over his last seven contests.

Cerritos counters with Dorian Tate, who recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds in a tight 64-59 win over El Camino last Friday. Tate also posted 27 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Rio Hondo on Jan. 14, providing a consistent interior presence for the Falcons.

Since the loss to LASW, Cerritos has won three straight, allowing an average of just 59 points per game in that stretch. The Cougars’ current win streak has been marked by strong defense, holding opponents to 72 points or fewer in each of the four victories.

The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. Pacific tipoff at Cerritos College’s Falcon Gymnasium. It marks the start of the second half of conference play for both teams, with positioning for the postseason at stake. Following this game, Cerritos will host Compton on Feb. 11, while Los Angeles Southwest will travel to face Los Angeles Harbor on the same date.