Everett, WA – Coming off of a recent win to clinch a birth to the NWAC playoffs, the Trojans played host to #6 ranked, and first place in the north region standings, Peninsula College. The Pirates feature one of the best offenses in the conference, shooting just above 40% as a team for the season and also boast the 2nd ranked defense giving up just 53.1 points per game.
Both offense and defense were on display in the first quarter, with the Pirates putting up 19 points, and holding the Trojans to just nine. EvCC was only able to shoot 28% compared to PC's 42% in the opening frame.
Everett was able to find some rhythm in the 2nd quarter offensively, led by Maddy Thoma's 7 points. Mikail Montez also hit a three before the half time buzzer to put the Trojans at 18 points for the quarter, but the Pirates were equally as effective and scored 21 of their own. With the score 40-27 at the break the Trojans trailed by 13.
Everett has hung their hat on the defensive end all season, and hoped to clamp down in the second half, but the Pirates continued to find holes and capitalize putting up another 19 points to the Trojans 14 and stretched the lead out to 18 heading into the fourth quarter.
Everett's best offensive quarter of the game came in the final period, scoring 26 points and making 15 of 16 free throws. Maddy Thoma had another good quarter, putting up 10 on 3 of 4 shooting from the floor, but the Pirates continued to execute on the offensive end and never let their lead shrink by more than 12 points. At the final buzzer, Peninsula prevailed 80-67. Maddy Thoma finished with a new career high of 22 points and Courtney Perry got another double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. As a team the Trojans shot a season high 93.3% from the free throw line going 28 for 30.
The loss will not mean much in regards to standings, as Shoreline lost to Whatcom and both the Trojans and the Dolphins remained locked in a tie for third place at 8-4. Everett will play their next game on Saturday against Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00pm.