A Season to Remember Comes to a Close in Dramatic Fashion

The Trojans went into tonight's first round of the NWAC Championship tournament as the number 1 seed out of the North Region, drawing #4 out of the West Region, Lower Columbia College of Longview, WA. The Trojans (22-7) and the Red Devils (18-10) played a prime time 8 pm tip-off at Larry Walker Court, on the campus of EvCC. After going 14-0 in conference play, EvCC set out to continue their winning streak of 10 games on their home floor having not lost since November 17th in the first game of the season. The Trojans struck first with a signature 3 from Markieth Brown Jr and held on to the lead the entire half, building the lead out to as much as 15 with 8:33 to go in the half.  Despite the lead Lower Columbia never looked out of the game and chipped away to a 12 point deficit.  Going into half-time, the Trojans had a 46-34 lead. 

With about 9 minutes left in the game, the Red Devils pulled the game to within three at 66-69. The Trojans and Red Devils traded baskets the final 5 minutes of the game but it would be the Devils that would claim an 86-83 lead with 14 seconds remaining. Everett would come out of a timeout with an opportunity to tie the game.  After an initial missed three by Jon Parker, a loose ball would be tipped around before finally being secured by Markieth Brown who flipped it back to Jon Parker who drained a desperation three to send the game into overtime. 

Overtime picked up right where the two teams left off. For about 5 minutes, both teams laid it all out and kept the crowd on their feet. With 11 seconds left, the Red Devils were able to finish a 3-point play giving them a 2-point lead. With only seconds left on the clock the Trojans had one final shot that ultimately rattled out putting an end to the Trojans winning streak and the season.

Markieth Brown Jr finished the game with 28 points and 6 rebounds, Tori Odom played solid defense all night and also contributed 20 points and 5 rebounds, while Jon Parker added 18 off the bench.  Brown finished his career as a Trojan with 1,382 points the highest career point total ever for an EvCC men's basketball player.  

It was a historic year for the Trojans. An incredible run  and the strong support of Trojan Nation made it one for the books. Go Trojans!