Royals Get Defensive Win

Everett, WA – EvCC women's basketball took to the Walt Price Center for the home opener of the 2021-22 season on Monday night, and the first home game under new head coach Jeannie Thompson.  Douglas College, out of New Westminster, British Columbia came to town for a non-conference match-up, and the Canadian Pacific West Conference school gave the Trojans a good early season test against a strong defensive pressure style. 

From the start Douglas pressured full court and forced 7 EvCC turnovers in the first quarter.  Despite those mistakes the Trojans still put up 13 points in the quarter, thanks to a balanced scoring attack and found themselves down only one going into the second quarter. 

Neither team was able to find the bottom of the net through the first two minutes in the 2^nd quarter, but a pair of Thuyvi Tran free throws gave Everett their first lead of the game since the early stages of the 1^st quarter.  Douglas responded with a 10-2 run to push the Royal's lead back out to 7 and would hang on to a comfortable margin going into the break with a 29-23 lead. 

Everett came out with their best offensive quarter of the game putting up 18 points in the 3rd, shooting 53.8% from the floor.  Douglas was able to convert on three made three's which helped limit the damage, and heading into the final quarter the visitors remained in the lead by three. 

Douglas continued their defensive pressure in the 4^th quarter and held EvCC to just one made field goal through the first five and a half minutes.  Sydney VanNess finally converted on a jump shot to trim the lead back to four, but that is as close as it would get as the Trojans just couldn't quite hit enough shots down the stretch falling by a final score of 57-50.

Maddy Thoma and Sydney VanNess led the Trojans with 10 points apiece, and Mikail Montez added 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. 

Coming up, the Trojans will host the 25^th annual Everett CC Women's Basketball Classic this December 3^rd-5^th.  The tournament will feature several NWAC blue-blood programs such as Clackamas CC, Spokane CC, Big Bend CC, and Skagit Valley.  Everett will open up with undefeated Clackamas CC on Friday night at 7pm, and will follow with Spokane on Saturday (6pm) and conclude the weekend on Sunday afternoon against Big Bend CC.