Two Wins at Home in Crossover Tournament

Everett, WA – Everett Community College played host to one of eight sites for the NWAC crossover weekend and brought in Wenatchee Valley College, Tacoma Community College, and Portland Community College for six games over three days. 

The Trojans took on undefeated Portland on the opening night, a team that featured a big lineup and one of the top rebounding teams in the NWAC.  The Panthers also have the leagues best defense giving up just 44.3 points per game, and it gave EvCC fits in the first half.  The Trojans made just 5 field goals, shooting 20% from the floor and were outrebounded 33-19.  PCC held a 39-17 lead going into the break.

Everett responded a great second half effort outscoring Portland 18-17 in the 3^rd and 18-17 in the 4^th, but the deficit was too much and PCC took the win 72-52.  Jada Andresen came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 16 points, hitting four threes and grabbing 8 rebounds.  Baylor Thomas finished with 14 points and Perla Ruiz scored 9 with 4 assists.  All nine of her points came from the free throw line, going 9 of 10. 

The Trojans bounced back on Friday night to defeat Wenatchee Valley 78-68.  It was a scoring duel between the Knight's Haili Dennison, and Everett's Baylor Thomas.  Dennison did her damage in the first and third quarter's while Thomas' scoring was fairly balanced and both players finished with 31 points.  This was the third game this season that Baylor has scored 30 or more.  Perla Ruiz had a strong game scoring 19 points and Jada Andresen scored in double figures for the second consecutive game with 11.

As a team the Trojans shot 41% from the field, their highest percentage in seven games, and continued to shoot the ball well from the free throw line, going 77% as a team and making 17.  Everett also outrebounded the Knights 44-34.

In the weekend finale, Everett faced Tacoma, a team the Trojans handled easily back on the opening weekend of the season, defeating the Titans 74-52.  After a big first quarter, the Trojans looked to be en-route to another decisive win, but Tacoma outscored EvCC in the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters to set up a two-point Trojan lead heading into the 4^th.  It wasn't a clean defensive game for either team, as a combined 83 free throws were taken.    EvCC, typically a strong free throw shooting team but perhaps with tired legs on the third day, only shot 69% from the line.  Still, 31 of their 67 points came from the stripe and the Trojans escaped with the 67-64 win. 

Perla Ruiz led all scorers with 22 points, and Baylor Thomas added 21.  Ashlynd Hunt went 6-8 from the line, scored 6 points, had 6 steals, and 8 rebounds. 

Everett will have the week off and will return to action on December 28^th for the Skagit Valley Holiday Tournament.  There the Trojans will face Highline College, Douglas College (Canada) and Big Bend.  EvCC defeated Highline in a previous contest earlier this season and lost to Big Bend.  This will be the first meeting this season with Douglas College.  The Tournament tips off on Thursday, December 28^th at 1:00pm against Highline.