Trojans Move Past Lakers to Elite 8 with 86-76 Victory

PASCO, Wash. – The Everett Trojans moved onto the NWAC Elite 8 with an 86-76 victory over the Southwestern Oregon Lakers in the Sweet 16 of the NWAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Golf Universe, on Thursday night at Columbia Basin College.

After the Lakers went ahead 4-0 to start the game, the Trojans (19-10) enjoyed a 22-2 run to take a commanding 22-6 advantage with 12:10 to play in the first half, marking their largest lead of the game. The Lakers (23-4) continued to battle and even pulled the deficit down to one point before halftime, trailing just 39-38 after 20 minutes.

Southwestern Oregon retook the lead early in the second half, but it was short lived as the Trojans jumped back ahead by seven points 51-44 and never looked back, extending their advantage out to as many as 14 points before eventually closing out the double-digit victory 86-76.

The two-headed attack of Derek Smith and Jailin Johnson paced the Everett offense. Smith had 25 points on 8-for-12 shooting, adding an impressive line of seven steals, six rebounds and five assists. Johnson finished with 23 points and eight boards, going 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Raefe McEnroe also had 17 points with five assists and four boards.

On the Lakers' side, O'shen Cazimero had a game-high 26 points to go with four assists and four rebounds. Merrick Sherwood added 15 points off the bench.

After reaching the championship game in 2023, the Trojans move onto the Elite 8 where they will take on Tacoma on Friday at 4 p.m. to close out the first week of the Men's Basketball Championship.