Everett, WA - The Trojans got a big lift off the bench on Monday night, in a home victory over Northwest Indian College. Nearly half of the team's 72 total points came off the bench, with Riley Weimer leading the way on 5 of 7 shooting from the field and 14 points. EvCC found themselves trailing for most of the game, despite jumping out to an 8-2 lead with back to back threes from Nate Harding. NWIC played a physical game, and had a nine point advantage at the half out-rebounding EvCC and forcing 9 Trojan turnovers.
The Eagles kept the pressure on in the second half, leading by as many as 13 with 10:02 to play. After the media timeout, EvCC chipped away at the defecit over the next five minutes with a 13-6 advantage. Nate Harding was fouled on a three and converted on all three free throws to bring Everett back to within six. After a NWIC converted on two free throws of their own, Harding made another three (his 3rd of the game) which started a 9-0 run bringing Everett all the way back to reclaim the lead 65-64 with 1:24 to play. Everett kept it rolling and added six more unanswered points to stretch the lead out to six before Mycole Rodriguez snapped NWIC's four minute dry spell. The bucket came with just 7 seconds to play, too little too late for Northwest Indian, and the Trojans went on to win 72-66.
Nate Harding led EvCC with 16 points, and the Trojan bench combined for 30 points, 14 from Weimer, 8 from Shon Reid, and 7 from Walta Berhane. Starting forward Henry Ihrig put up 7 points but added 10 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Jailin Johnson led the team in assists with 6 while also adding 7 points. The Trojans finished the game out-rebounding NWIC 36-31 and also converted 8 more free throws.
The Trojans will now play in a string of tournaments over the next month, starting with Lower Columbia College's post Thanksgiving Tournament November 29 - December 1st. EvCC will open up the tournament against Southwestern Oregon CC who is 5-0 on the season and averaging 101.8 points per game. That game will be at 5pm on 11/29.