Everett, WA – Everett played host to Whatcom on Saturday afternoon, a north region opponent that has had its share of struggles this season with a 6-16 record. The Orcas beat Everett 77-42 in their first meeting back on January 14th in Bellingham, but the Trojans came out with confidence in this homestand.
EvCC played well on the defensive end, holding Whatcom to 10 first quarter points, while scoring 15 of their own. With 3:32 to play in the first quarter it was a one-point game, but a 6-2 run gave Everett momentum capped with back-to-back buckets by Ella Curry.
The Trojans pushed the lead out to 7 on a nice pick and roll finish by Kendall Carroll, but WCC tightened up the defense and capitalized on the other end to get back to within three. Just as it looked like Whatcom was going to complete the comeback, Everett hit four three's (two from Mia Jones and two from Grace Trichler) in a span of two minutes to push the lead out to 13 with just over a minute to play. WCC turned the ball over with 30 seconds to play giving EvCC the last possession of the half. Everett couldn't convert and it would be an 11-point lead going into the break.
Whatcom came out with a new sense of purpose in the second half, and went on an 11-5 run in the first five minutes to trim the lead to five. Out of the media timeout, Whatcom scored six more and took the lead 38-37 for the first time in the game. By the end of the quarter, the Orcas outscored Everett 23-8 and it would be a 44-40 lead going into the final quarter in favor of the visiting team.
The Trojan offense still had trouble getting going in the 4th. With five minute to play EvCC trailed by nine and shooting 24% from the floor. But four Whatcom turnovers, gave a jump start and nine unanswered points tied the game at 51 with just under two minutes to play.
Despite the comeback effort, Everett couldn't quite hit the shots they needed to down the stretch and fell 58-54. Grace Trichler led the Trojans with 13 points and Maddy Thoma added 12 and 13 rebounds. Mia Jones also had 12 and 7 rebounds.
The Trojans will get another home game next Wednesday against north region leading Shoreline who is 15-6 on the season and 7-1 in region play. Tip off is set for 5pm.