Trojans' Explode in 2nd Half to Down Spokane 86-58

PASCO, Wash. – The Everett Trojans used an 18-0 run in the second half to defeat Spokane 86-55 in the Sweet 16 of the NWAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Sun Pacific Energy, on Friday night at Columbia Basin College.

A close game quickly turned into a blowout as the Trojans (23-7, 9-5 North) turned a 50-45 lead into a 68-45 lead midway through the second half. Everett's explosive three-point shooting took over as they connected on four straight threes at one point while making 11 in the second half alone.

Jadin Penigar kept the Trojans in the game in the first half as he scored 19 of the team's 36 points in the first 20 minutes. He finished with 28 points and seven rebounds, making five three pointers. Tucker Molina had a standout performance with a triple-double, recording 19 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Leon Sayers also had a big double-double with 16 points and 17 boards.

The Sasquatch (20-9, 10-6 East) played a solid first half, leading by as many as 10 points at the midway mark of the first period and only trailed by two at halftime. The second half shooting of the Trojans proved to be too much.

Damarion Delaney led the Sasquatch with 12 points off the bench. Trey Stevens had 10 points, five rebounds and six assists.

The Trojans move onto the Elite 8 where they will face Lower Columbia on Saturday at 4 p.m.