Bellevue, WA - Everett traveled to #2 ranked Bellevue on Saturday afternoon for a north region showdown that has favored the Trojans in the past four years with EvCC winning 7 of the last 8 contests. The visiting Trojans looked to be repeating the past as they jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first three and a half minutes of play, but Bellevue responded with a 14-2 run, that would set the tone for the rest of the game. After seven lead changes and four ties, the Bulldogs went into the half with 33-32 lead.
Bellevue controlled much of the second half, building out to as much as a nine point lead. The Trojans fought to remain within striking distance and pulled within one with 8 minutes remaining on a Tony MacArthur lay-in. Bellevue continued to hit timely bucket after bucket and with thirty seconds to go, they pushed the lead out to six after an offensive rebound and foul off of a free throw led to an additional made free throw. Christian Zamora hit a three to draw back within three, and the Trojans had to foul with two seconds remaining. Bellevue failed to convert on two free throws, but smartly fouled right away, preventing a last second heave to potentially tie they game. JT Smith made the first free throw, but after an intentional miss to give the Trojans a shot at a last second tip in, deflected out of bounds, the final buzzer sounded and Everett was handed their second straight two point loss.
Brycen Dillworth played well with 20 pionts and 6 assists. Brendon Redford also turned in another double-double performance with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
This is the first time the Trojans have lost the first two games of north region play under 6th year head coach Mike Trautman. The last time EvCC lost the first two games was back in 2016 in legendary head coach Larry Walker's final year before retirement. EvCC will look to regroup this week, with a home game on Wednesday night against rival Edmonds College. The Tritons are 6-7 on the season and are coming off of a 104-97 win over Whatcom. Tip off is set for 7pm.