Everett, WA – The north region opener started out with a bang as the #10 ranked Trojans took on their cross-town rivals, Edmonds College. The Tritons at 10-5 on the season had some big wins on the season including Umpqua, Lane, Portland and Highline coming into the night.  

After an intense opening to the game where each team traded buckets, Edmonds slowly built out a lead that grew to as many as 16.  By the halftime buzzer the Tritons led it 49-35.  The defense struggled to stop Edmonds inside the paint, where the Tritons did much of their damage.  Offensively EvCC just could not get much going and shot less than 40% from the field. 

Everett opened up the second half with a 17-4 run climbing back to within four with fourteen minutes to go.  Edmonds was able to push the lead back out to 13, but the Trojans had plenty of fight, clawing all the way back to take the lead 74-72 with six minutes to play. 

Down the stretch, both teams would trade buckets.  Everett would have the final possession down three with 1.4 seconds to go.  Ethan Martin got the ball in bounds and launched a 27-footer but it would not fall, and Edmonds escaped Larry Walker Court with an 88-85 win. 

Five Trojans scored in double figures led by Derek Smith's 23 points.  Raefe McEnroe scored 14, Jailin Johnson had 12 points, 8 assists, Ethan Martin scored 11, and Nate Harding had 12 off the bench, all coming from downtown going 4 of 7. 

Everett played a strong second half of basketball outscoring Edmonds by 12, but it was the slow start in the first half that was the ultimate demise.  EvCC did not have the best shooting night, just 41% from the floor, their lowest percentage in the last 11 games. 

The Trojans will have to bounce back fast, with upcoming back-to-back away games.  First traveling to Bellevue on Saturday afternoon, and then a date with undefeated Skagit Valley next Wednesday night.