The EvCC Men’s Basketball Team defeated the Bellevue Bulldogs Wednesday, Jan. 17 at home in a thrilling 82-79, come from behind victory.

In the first half, the Trojans got off to a slow and shaky start as Bellevue took command from the opening tip-off.

The Bulldogs played a well balanced game attacking the paint and working the perimeter.  The Trojans relied on working the perimeter like they had done in the last two games but were unable to score on multiple chances.  They also were not comfortable attacking the paint.

Bellevue’s Freshman guard Ting-Jhao Jian and Sophomore guard Forward Yonathan Michael led the Bulldogs attack and created problems for the Trojans’ defense.

By halftime, Jian had scored 15 points and Michael had scored 12 points in the first half. Trojan guard Conner Moffat led the team, scoring 10 points.

Despite the Trojans losing 47-37 at halftime, Head Coach Mike Trautman wasn’t going to let his team give up.

“We talked about it in halftime,” said Trautman. “I told them we are going to get back in the game.”

Trautman continued, saying, “It was going to be close. At some point  we were going to tie or be within one [point] and we had to push through that and not be satisfied with just coming back.”

In the second half, the Trojans attacked the paint and the attempts started to click as the team began to mount their comeback.

With 7:40 remaining EvCC tied it up at 64-64 all. Then, at 7:05 Conner Moffat hit a crucial 3-pointer which gave the Trojans the lead at 67-66. It was the first time the Trojans had led in the game.

With only 3.5 seconds remaining and the score 81-79, the Bulldogs missed a vital 3-point attempt that was blocked by the Trojans. The play ultimately decided the game.

Trojan guard Gio Jackson was among Everett’s top performers as he not only scored 21 points but also led the Trojans in rebounds with 11, seven of which were defensive rebounds that proved vital.

The Trojans look to extend their winning streak as they take on the Edmonds Community College Tritons on Saturday Jan. 20 at the Walt Price Fitness Center. It is the first rivalry game of the regular season.