Trojans Knock Off #8 South Puget Sound
Fresh off of three straight wins, the Trojans improved their home record to 4-0 on Wednesday afternoon, defeating #8 ranked South Puget Sound 74-68.
Everett, WA - Fresh off of three straight wins, the Trojans improved their home record to 4-0 on Wednesday afternoon, defeating #8 ranked South Puget Sound 74-68. Everett avenged an earlier season loss to the Clippers, getting a big night from Darious Turner who posted a 21 point night with 6 blocked shots and 3 rebounds. Everett got off to a hot start, leading 7-0 before SPSCC would chip away and eventually reclaim the lead at 19-18 with 9 minutes to go in the half. That's when Bubba Palacol got going for EvCC, dropping 11 first half points and erasing a 10 point clipper, and going into the break trailing by two.
Palacol picked up where he left off to open the second half, tying the game with a jumper and hitting a three to get Everett back on top. Everett held onto the lead for the next 9 minutes until South Puget Sound snatched back the lead with 11:15 remaining. The lead would last until just under the five-minute mark when Kyler Hadfield's jumper gave the Trojans a 67-66 lead. The two squads traded buckets over the next three minutes, but it would be a pair of key free throws and a three point shot from Darious Turner that would but EvCC up for good. South Puget Sound could not get a good look at a three in the closing seconds, and Everett held onto the six point lead.
Bubba Palacol finished with 18 pionts, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Bryson Bell scored 10 points off the bench. Ro'Darious Bryant snagged 8 rebounds and had 7 points, while starters Kyler Hadfield, and Noah Parker each finished with 9 points.
The Trojans have now won four straight (all at home) and have won 6 of their last 7 games. The squad will get a well deserved break of 10 days before they return to action on December 28th and 29th. Everett will take on Yakima Valley on Sunday Dec. 28 (a team they defeated back on December 5th in Spokane 73-70) and Wenatchee Valley on Monday December 29th (a team they defeated on Dec. 13 at home 65-48).
Tip off for Sunday's match up against the Yaks will be at 4:00pm.