Comeback Falls Just Short to Shoreline

Everett, WA – The snow and ice over the week cancelled a meeting with #1 ranked Skagit Valley on Wednesday, so the Trojans had to wait another three days before their next north region match up making it a full week after their road win over #8 Bellevue last Saturday.  The Dolphins of Shoreline CC came into the Walt Price Center fresh off a thrilling 73-71 win over Edmonds on Thursday and played full of confidence building out to a 9-point lead in the early goings of the game. 

Both teams opened up shooting 50% from beyond the arc and 60% from the field.  The Trojans cooled off first, which allowed Shoreline to build out to an eleven-point lead with 3:30 to play in the half.  By the halftime buzzer the deficit grew to 14, largely attributed to 12 first half EvCC turnovers.  

Fifty-three points is the most allowed in one half by the Trojan defense this season, and things would get worse before they got better for EvCC.  Shoreline picked up where they left off in the second half, and before long stretched the lead out to 20.  With thirteen minutes to go Shoreline led by as many as 26, but EvCC didn't give in and started to find their shot, slowly chipping away.   The Trojans came all the way back, but ran out of time at the end and fell 88-90.  It was a much better second half for EvCC defensively, holding Shoreline to 37 second half points, while putting up 49 of their own. 

Derek Smith scored a season high 32 points and led the team with 7 rebounds.  Ethan Martin scored 10 and added 6 assists.  Nate Harding continued to be a force from beyond the arc and sank four threes coming off the bench. 

Everett will have to move past the loss quickly, falling to 1-2 in north region play.  They will travel to Bremerton on Wednesday night to take on Olympic.  Tip off is set for 7:00pm.