EvCC women's basketball was back at it again on Monday night for their 3rd game in four nights. The already thin roster was limited to just six tonight, as sophomore leader Serafina Balderas was inactive due to an ankle injury sustained in the previous game. Perhaps there was a little carry over fatigue from Saturday night's win over South Puget Sound CC as the Trojans started off the game versus the visiting Royals of Douglas College (Canada) with three straight turnovers on their first three offensive possessions. After seven minutes into the first quarter the Trojans found themselves down 10-4 before Hannah Hezekiah found her rhythm and led the Trojans on an 8-2 run, tying the game at 12 at the end of the 1st quarter.
Neither team shot the ball well in the second quarter, the Trojans going 4 of 16 from the floor, while the Royals shot 4-14. Rachel Beuchamp scored 9 points for Douglas in the 2nd quarter, but the rest of the team was held in check and the Trojans went into the break with a 24-23 lead.
The game remained tight into the second half, despite more offensive struggles from the Trojans. Tired legs attributed to 4-13 FG's and 0-4 3FG. Kelsey Mellick kept EvCC in the game scoring 9 of her 16 points in the 3rd quarter and was the only Trojan to score. Douglas finally found their stroke and shot much better going 6-14 from the floor and took a four point lead heading into the final quarter.
The margin was never closer than four all the way through the fourth quarter, as the Douglas depth overpowered Everett eventually taking the game 58-44. Mellick lead all scorers with 16 points and added 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Hannah Hezekiah added 14 with 4 rebounds and 4 steals of her own.
Everett will get a few days rest before they host the 23rd annual Everett Women's Basketball Classic Tournament December 7th - 9th. The Trojans won their tournament last year, but will have a tough test this year with only six active players. They open against Linn Benton on Friday night, with tip off set for 8pm.