Coming into this game, the Trojans were 7-6 in league play, with the Bulldogs right behind them at 6-7. The winner of this game would go on to the NWAC playoffs, and possibly into the Championship Tournament held here at EvCC. Unfortunately, for EvCC fans, the Trojans would not do enough to come out of this game with that crucial win.

From the first few possessions of the game, it looked like the Trojans were on a mission starting off with a quick 4-0 run. The run, and the confidence, stopped just as quickly as it started when the Bulldogs began to get open on the back side for easy buckets. Bellevue kept this up-tempo offense and would never look back as they pulled away from the Trojans in the first half. After the six-minute mark, EvCC was never closer than ten points, finishing at halftime with a score of 35-25.

Rebounds were highlighted in the first half, as the Bulldogs outrebounded the Trojans with 35 boards to 25, respectively. This gave Bellevue the opportunity for six points off of second chance buckets while EvCC had none. Shots were just not falling as the Trojans shot an abysmal 31.0% from the floor and 25.0% from beyond the arc.

“Rebounding was key. Not boxing out. If they didn’t get it the first time they got it the second time,” said Quadir Williams.

Going into the second half, the gym was loud and yelling to try and propel the Trojans to a playoff berth. The team began to come alive and tied up the game, 43-43, with 10:45 left in the game. The Trojans went on to tie up the game two more times after allowing the Bulldogs to slip away on multiple occasions. With some tough foul calls and some miscues on defense, in the end, EvCC didn’t hold a lead at any time in the second half and lose by a score of 70-63, ending their season.

“We were doing what we had to do to win. We were just trying to work hard and get it done,” said Noah Jones

Four players contributed with double digit points in the Trojans effort, led by Derek Brown Jr. with 15 points to go along with two rebounds and two assists. The assist leader for EvCC was Said Hersi with four assists and the second most points of the team, 14. Finally, Williams would lead in boards with eight rebounds, 12 points and two assists.

For the sophomores of the team, tonight meant more than clinching a playoff berth. For them this will be the last game that they ever play in an EvCC Trojans uniform. When asked about the game, and their time here, this was what they had to say:

“Just one of those days. The way the cookie crumbles,” said Derek Brown Jr.

“It was a great experience. My game definitely progressed here. They have a great coaching staff, they really care about you, and they help develop your game to get you to the next level,” said Williams.

“It hurts with an outcome like this. You can’t say you held anything back. S*** happens like that,” said Sean Mclaughlin.

“One of the more fun experiences of my life. I enjoyed it a lot here,” said Noah Jones.